City Cast Madison logo
October 3, 2023

What Books Are Being Challenged in Dane County

City Cast Madison

What Books Are Being Challenged in Dane County

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

Librarians are worried. The American Library Association has been compiling data about censorship in libraries for the past 20 years and says attempts to ban books are at an all time high.

Dane County Library Service director Tracy Herold has seen it happen here. Today’s challenges look less like a demand for an outright ban from a single group, and more like anonymous social media chatter stirring up controversy about a library, its staff and its books.

So this week, Dane County libraries are holding Banned Book Con, a series of events honoring the right to read and celebrating the free exchange of ideas. You can meet one of the country’s most banned authors in Madison this Thursday. 

Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! 

Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 

Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
October 13

An Insider’s Guide to Madison’s Writing and Literary Scene. Plus, Books Every Madisonian Needs

The Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration kicks off this Thursday. The yearly tradition brings more than 80 authors to Madison for boo...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 11

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Madison

Another Madison school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict n...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 9

Police Monitor Drama, More Parents Say No to Laptops, and Little Free DVD Library

This week, a Madison Alder made a motion for the Common Council to consider terminating the city’s contract with Interim Independent Poli...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 8

Madison Restaurant News, Wage Gap for Latina Workers, and Nobel Prize Winner at UW

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, which marks, on average, when in the year a working Latina woman has earned as much as a white, non-Hispan...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 7

How the State Is Failing Disabled Wisconsinites

More than 7,000 disabled Wisconsinites are waiting for help navigating the state’s employment development program due to funding cuts. Ci...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 6

Alders’ Group Chat Raises Eyebrows, Young Blood Taps Out at Northstreet, and Go Brewers!

Why were a dozen Madison city council members in a Signal group chat? Madison 365’s Rob Chappell broke the story last week, and on today’...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 5

Madison’s Newest Alt Publication. Plus, Will Body Cams Prevent Police Violence?

The Yahara Flyer is a new single-sheet monthly publication in Madison from the co-founder of the now-defunct news website Tone Madison. S...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 4

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Madison

When Madison looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 2

Proposed Data Center Plan, Alleged Frat Hazing, and Mayoral Race Update

What will happen when the city’s one-year moratorium on new data centers expires in January? City officials released a draft framework th...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 1

New Cafe Coming to Monroe Street and a Week Without Driving in Madison

A new cafe is set to open this month on Monroe Street. Waltzing Matilda’s is the newest venture from the team behind Bloom Bake Shop and...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art