Banned Books Week is an annual event in the United States that celebrates the freedom to read and raises awareness about books that have been challenged or banned in libraries, schools, and bookstores. It typically takes place in the last week of September and was established by the American Library Association (ALA) and other organizations in 1982.
The event promotes the importance of access to diverse books and encourages people to read and discuss books that have faced censorship. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to challenge censorship and promote free and open access to information.
Key Themes of Banned Books Week:
Highlighting Censorship: It draws attention to attempts to remove or restrict access to books based on content deemed controversial or offensive.
Celebrating Freedom of Expression: It emphasizes the right to read materials that reflect diverse perspectives and experiences.
Educational Events: Libraries, bookstores, and schools often host discussions, readings, and events that explore the themes of censorship and intellectual freedom.
Books that have been challenged or banned include classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, and The Catcher in the Rye, as well as contemporary works dealing with race, sexuality, religion, and more.
In 2025, Banned Books Week will take place from September 21 to September 27. This annual event typically falls in the last week of September to celebrate the freedom to read and to raise awareness about the ongoing issues of censorship.
Banned Books Week was initiated by Judith Krug in 1982. Krug was a prominent First Amendment and library activist who served as the Director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association (ALA). She created Banned Books Week in response to a surge in book challenges and censorship in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The event was developed as a way to raise awareness about the threats to free expression and to celebrate the right to read freely and without restriction.
Since its inception, Banned Books Week has been co-sponsored by several organizations, including the American Booksellers Association and Amnesty International, and has become an important event in promoting intellectual freedom.