SIBA joins the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers in reaffirming our commitment to the landmark 1953 Freedom to Read statement on its 70th anniversary. Read the statement.

Earlier this year SIBA released our own statement on book bans. In short: The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance opposes efforts to ban books and censor events at independent bookstores.

During the last year, SIBA bookstores have reported widespread efforts to ban books. They have witnessed this in their community libraries and schools and have experienced extraordinary pressure, including protests, to limit choices in their inventory, especially when books reflect the stories of those who are LGBTQ+ and/or people of color.

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance strongly condemns these acts of censorship and intimidation.

Independent bookstores, because they are privately owned and able to curate their inventory, are uniquely positioned to safeguard the freedom to read for readers of all ages. We stand with stores carrying books under community threat of censorship and hosting events that spark protest by those who would ban book content or authors.

Read SIBA's full statement