It’s Banned Books Week, when libraries, schools, bookstores, groups, and individuals around the world—including Banned Books Week Honorary Chair filmmaker Ava DuVernay—call attention to censorship and ways to fight it.
“I believe that censorship is the enemy of freedom,” said DuVernay. “By banning books, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from the past and to envision a braver future. Books have the power to open minds and build bridges. This is why certain forces do not want the masses to engage with books. They fear progress and growth in new, bold directions. For this reason, Banned Books Week is vitally important. It is a celebration of our right to access varied voices and to engage with ideas that challenge and champion us.”
Since 1982, Banned Books Week has highlighted attempts to remove books and other materials from libraries, schools, and bookstores. It’s an on-going fight. Just this week, the American Library Association (ALA) released new statistics on book bans and challenges in the U.S.
Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services. In those cases, 1,128 unique titles were challenged.
“We must continue to stand up for libraries and challenge censorship wherever it occurs,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. “We know library professionals throughout the country are committed to preserving our freedom to choose what we read and what our children read, even though many librarians face criticism and threats to their livelihood and safety.
“We urge everyone to join librarians in defending the freedom to read. We know people don’t like being told what they are allowed to read, and we’ve seen communities come together to fight back and protect their libraries and schools from the censors.”
ALA and Unite Against Book Bans will have a slate of programs and more throughout the week to celebrate Banned Books Week. Read on for details and for information on how to get involved.
Attend a Banned Books Week program
ALA will offer several free, virtual programs (for some, registration is required) to inspire and inform. Events will feature honorary chairs Ava DuVernay and Julia Garnett, as well as bestselling authors like Judy Blume, Eliot Schrefer ("Queer Ducks [and Other Animals]"), Patricia McCormick ("Sold"), Christina Soontornvat ("The Squad [The Tryout #2]"), and more!
Libraries, schools, bookstores, and literary communities are celebrating the freedom to read across the world this week. See a schedule of events on the Banned Books Week calendar.
Highlights includes:
The Honorary Chair Program, presented by the Banned Books Week Coalition
September 24, 1:00 p.m. CDT (time subject to change)
Join DuVernay and Banned Books Week Youth Chair Julia Garnett for a powerful Banned Books Week conversation, airing on ALA’s YouTube channel.
DuVernay, the director behind "Selma" and "13th," is an advocate for education and free expression. Two of her films have been inspired by frequently challenged books: "A Wrinkle in Time," based on the book by Madeleine L’Engle, and "Origin," which centers on the life of Isabel Wilkerson, the author of "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents." Garnett, a youth advocate recognized by First Lady Jill Biden, is a leader in the National Coalition Against Censorship's Student Advocates for Speech program, educating other students about advocacy.
Selected Shorts: Banned Books with Host Judy Blume, Sponsored by Unite Against Book Bans
September 25, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Celebrate the power of literature with Judy Blume as she takes the stage for an evening of funny and gripping tales that push boundaries. Join us as incredible actors bring to life compelling and thought-provoking stories on frequently censored topics, and by authors whose books have been the target of bans. This evening features stories by Roxane Gay, Shirley Jackson, Xu Mason, Walter Dean Myers, and David Sedaris, with performances by actors Jelani Alladin ("Fellow Travelers"), Troy Iwata ("The Daily Show"), Maulik Pancholy ("30 Rock"), Amy Ryan ("Only Murders in the Building"), and more!
In person and livestream options available. Use the code “ALA” for a discount on the livestream.
Stay informed
If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials by contacting OIF. OIF estimates it learns of only 3-18% of book challenges. Find out your library's policy for reviewing challenged materials. Stay updated about intellectual freedom by signing up for the free Intellectual Freedom News newsletter, or reading the Journal for Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.
Organize your own Banned Books Week program
This could be at your school, public library, or favorite bookstore. Think “outside the book" when brainstorming ideas. OIF offers an array of resources, such as options for a First Amendment film festival and display ideas. The Banned Books Week Pinterest page hosts a collection of ideas to spark your creativity.
Encourage people to take at least one action on Let Freedom Read Day
On Let Freedom Read Day, this September 28, we’re asking everyone to get ready to vote for the freedom to read or to take at least one action to help defend books from censorship and to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers, and booksellers who make them available! Show us how you’re taking action on social media by using the hashtags #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek!
Write to a banned or challenged author
Take some time to thank a banned or challenged author for their words. Author addresses and Twitter handles can be found on the Dear Banned Author page.
Contribute to the Intellectual Freedom Blog
Have your voice be heard by readers everywhere by submitting content that addresses censorship and banned books. Posts can be news items, reviews, and listicals.
Perform a play about the freedom to read
OIF offers a complete stage adaption of YA novel The Sledding Hill, written by frequently banned author Chris Crutcher.
Proclaim Banned Books Week at your local library
Use our proclamation template to announce your library’s dedication to the freedom to read.
Stock up on Banned Books Week materials
Every year, OIF produces a line of Banned Books Week products. Show your literary pride with T-shirts, bookmarks and posters, while helping support OIF. We also offer a free downloads page with graphics, official logos and social media tools.
Write a letter to the editor
Edit and adapt this “Read a Banned Book” opinion column for your local newspaper. Include local Banned Books Week programs so your community can support their right to read.
Brush up on banned book history
The latest edition of "Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read" contains an annotated list of challenged and banned books, as well as the history of literary censorship.
Speak out
Announce the importance of unrestricted reading on your local public radio station with a PSA script. Write letters to the editor, your public library director and your school principal supporting the freedom to read. Talk to your friends about why everyone should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families what they read.
Exercise your reading rights
Check out a banned book from your library. Encourage your book club to discuss rebellious reads.
Join the Freedom to Read Foundation and Unite Against Book Bans
The Freedom to Read Foundation is dedicated to the legal and financial defense of intellectual freedom, especially in libraries. Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
Give to the cause
Support Banned Books Week with a $25, $50, $100, or $250 donation.
Follow Banned Books Week on social media
If you attended the ALA Annual Conference in June, you might have had a chance to read a banned book from a very large chair! Visit the Banned Books Week YouTube account to see all the fabulous read out videos!
Keep your eye on Instagram throughout Banned Books Week, where you can expect some exciting content from advocates. Follow @banned_books_week, @uniteagainstbooksbans, and @americanlibraryassociation. You can keep up with Banned Books Week updates on X and Facebook and use the hashtag #BannedBooksWeek to declare your right to read.
You can find even more information about Banned Books Week programming, book bans, and challenges support at ala.org/bbooks and bannedBooksWeek.org.
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