Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Held Oct. 5-11, this year's theme is "Censorship Is So 1984 — Read for Your Rights!"
Every year, the American Library Association (ALA) holds Banned Books Week as a way to condemn censorship, defend each person's right to read and to freely express ideas. The event brings together librarians, teachers, booksellers, writers, journalists and readers across the United States in support of intellectual freedom.
The ALA compiles data about censorship in libraries, including a list of the top challenged books of the year. According to the ALA, "In 2024, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 821 attempts to censor library materials and services. In those cases, 2,452 unique titles were challenged."
From the ALA's website: "New data reported to ALA's office for Intellectual Freedom shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements."
View the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 here.
Want to know how to better defend a book? Visit Book Résumés, which detail various challenged books' significance and educational value.
Make sure to visit your favorite branch and keep an eye out for Banned Books Week displays!
The ALA has compiled resources and ways to participate in Banned Books Week. From letter writing to Banned Books Week events to learning about banned book history, the ALA's website lists engaging involvement opportunities.
Can't get enough of reading banned books? Join the Newport Branch's Challenging Reads book club! The club meets at 7 pm the third Tuesday of every month. Ages 18 & up.
