In episode 23 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with actor, activist, and modern-day icon—and honorary chair of Banned Books Week 2025—George Takei about his new graphic novel, “It Rhymes with Takei,” his life and career, and, of course, how he libraries.
Stephen King is many things: bestselling author, screenwriter, musician, actor. And now he can add “most banned author in U.S. schools” to his resume based on new data released this month.
It’s Banned Books Week, an annual observation started more than 40 years ago in response to a sudden surge in the number of book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Sound familiar? Sadly, book censorship has remained an unfortunate spectre since Banned Books Week’s founding in 1982, which makes this observance as vital and important as ever.
Librarian Amanda Jones has been named to the Time100 Next list, Time magazine’s spotlight on the world’s most influential rising stars, for her work fighting censorship and book bans.
Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Delaware and Texas, an update on Little Free Libraries’ book bans map, and Margaret Atwood’s response to “The Handmaid’s Tale” being banned.
Oh my! Actor, author, and activist George Takei has been named honorary chair of Banned Books Week, which will take place October 5–11, 2025.
Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, and Maryland.
MSNBC’s Ali Velshi sat down with author Max Brooks recently to learn why Brooks’ book “World War Z” has been banned and to break down its message, exploring why it inspires fear not just in the reader, but also in those in power.
This month’s report on attempts to censor library materials in the U.S., and efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them, includes news from New Hampshire, Maryland, and Alabama, as well as a look at how psychologists are fighting censorship to keep culturally diverse books available to everyone.
In a special video message for ALA, author Judy Blume—whose work has been subjected to numerous challenges and bans across the country—encourages everyone to unite against book bans.
Proud Sponsor of the ALA Public Supporter Program
American Library Association • 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300 • Chicago, IL 60601
