Banned books and Wikidata

Abstract

<p>Book banning has become a widespread method of global censorship. Governments are increasingly using this approach to control internet and technological resources. As is well known, censorship in libraries, and especially school and public libraries, is a subject of international and complex debate that touches several areas, from fundamental rights and freedom of expression to the social responsibility of public institutions and the professionals who work there, also the necessary representation of the existing diversity. Advocacy groups, like Amnesty International or library associations, have emerged to combat this threat to democracy, education, and progressive thinking. Countries such as China, Bangladesh, and Egypt commonly ban books to limit education and suppress vulnerable populations1. In 2022, the American Library Association received a record-breaking 1,269 requests to restrict library access. This surge, nearly doubling the previous year’s figures, underscores concern about intellectual freedom and diverse literary content. Within the 2,571 titles targeted for book censorship cases, some titles faced intense scrutiny2. Nunia Ferran Ferrar Miquel Centelles Lluis Agusti In April 2023, volunteers from Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Catalonia, and the United States launched the #EveryBookItsReader initiative3. Their goal was to improve content related to books, literary works, and oral traditions on various Wikimedia platforms, including Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikicommons, Wikiquotes, Wikibooks, and Wikisource. This collaborative initiative, from various countries, recurs annually throughout April each year, aligning with World Book Day on April 23, which originated in Catalonia, Spain, as the “Day of Books and Roses.” Anyone, especially librarians, can participate.</p>