Banned Books Week

banned-books-week

Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. For more than 40 years, the annual event has brought together the entire book community—librarians, teachers, booksellers, publishers, writers, journalists, and readers of all types—in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

Borrow one of the 13 Most Challenged Books of 2023

Banned & Challenged Graphic Novels

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1,247

Demands for Censorship

There were 1,247 demands to censor library books and resources in 2023, one of the highest numbers of attempted book bans since the American Library Association began compiling censorship data more than 20 years ago.

4,240

Unique Titles Targeted

A record 4,240 unique titles were targeted for censorship. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023.

This is nationwide data. Source: American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom



What Does It Mean When a Book Is …?

Challenged

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of a person or group.

Banned

The removal of materials from a library based on the objections of a person or group.

Censored

Limiting or removing access to words, images, or ideas.

Intellectual Freedom

Intellectual freedom gives people the right to think for themselves. It respects individual dignity and self-rule. This freedom allows people to form their own ideas and opinions by questioning the world around them. Every person has the right to access information from all points of view.

Source


We can find freedom in the pages of a book — but book bans and censorship threaten that freedom, along with many other rights and institutions. During Banned Books Week 2024 and beyond, let’s share our love of right to read and the freedom found in books. Let’s be Freed Between the Lines!


Libby/Overdrive Books

These books were once banned or challenged. Explore and enjoy!


Read Freely with Los Angeles Public Library

The Los Angeles Public Library is making a selection of the most challenged books reported to the American Library Association available to anyone in the United States ages 13 and up through 2024. Sign up to access the titles.

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