Dane County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Banned Book Week and National 4-H Week

October 16, 2024
County Board Chair Patrick Miles, (608) 886-9167
County Board

At the Board meeting last Thursday the County Board recognized Banned Book Week, which took place September 22-28. The resolution states: “The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 1,247 demands to censor library books and resources in 2023, and 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for removal from schools and libraries in 2023, which equates to a 65% increase in book banning efforts compared to in 2022.”

According to Supervisor Chawla (District 6), “books are essential for broadening our perspectives and deepening our understanding of the world, especially on topics like race, gender, sexuality, and other aspects of identity that face social injustice. Censorship of books poses a serious threat to democracy and our individual freedoms. I encourage Dane County residents to explore books that have been challenged for their content and to participate in the conversation about book censorship and its impact on literacy and diversity of thought.”

Additionally, the Board recognized National 4-H Week, which was held October 6-12. 4-H is a national youth development organization that gives young people the opportunity to learn life skills, network, and aid their communities.

Locally, “Dane County 4-H’ers have created care packages with hats, gloves, and food for cold weather for unhoused people, one 4-H’er organized a book drive for the Madison Reading Project and collected around 800 books, and the Happy Hikers Club worked at an ice cream booth at Sun Prairie’s Corn Fest and raised over $2,000 earlier this year to fund club educational and social activities,” per the resolution.

“4-H equips young people with the skills they need to succeed in both their personal and professional lives while also aiding their communities. There’s no better way to celebrate the accomplishments of 4-H youth, educators, and volunteers than by recognizing National 4-H Week and the organization’s contributions to Dane County. It’s exciting to see another generation of leaders take advantage of the many opportunities 4-H offers just like I was able to do!” said Supervisor Smith (District 24).

Dane County residents can access the resolutions at https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13359045&GUID=FB30894B-4185-462F-B04B-1757AB5F83E0 and https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13359044&GUID=20685F56-1DBD-49F4-BBCE-1CAEF500F5EA.