Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Launched in 1982 in response to a surge in challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries, Banned Books Week is a time to highlight the value of free and open access to information, bringing together librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The theme for 2025 Banned Books Week (October 5-11) is “Censorship Is So 1984: Read for Your Rights.” With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984 serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.
During National Library Week, ALA released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 list and the State of America’s Libraries report (pdf). The majority of book censorship attempts now originate from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites, which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books.
“Banned Books Week prompts us all to stand up and defend our First Amendment right to read freely,” said Barbara Stripling, Banned Books Week Coalition chair. “Censorship is never the path to truth. All of our lives are enriched when our libraries and schools provide the books that allow us to see ourselves, understand others, and discover the world.”
In a time of intense political polarization, library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts. ALA offers a variety of free downloads, resources, and materials to support Banned Books Week. Click here.
Let Freedom Read!