The most important week in library land is almost upon us. September 22-28 is Banned Books Week. Every year, readers, librarians, educators, and bookstores unite to celebrate Banned Books Week—a powerful reminder of the importance of the First Amendment and the right to access diverse stories and ideas. While the concept of banning books might feel like something from a distant past, it’s a present reality. Many well-loved and critically acclaimed books still face challenges and are removed from shelves across the country. Banned Books Week not only shines a spotlight on this ongoing battle but also urges us to remain vigilant in defending our freedom to read.
How It All Began
Banned Books Week was born in 1982, spearheaded by Judith Krug, the director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. The movement came as a direct response to an alarming rise in the number of books being challenged in schools, libraries, and bookstores. It was a call to action: an opportunity for readers, teachers, and librarians to come together, stand against censorship, and celebrate the profound power of literature to unite us all.
Since then, Banned Books Week has grown into a national event, observed the last week of September, and has helped raise awareness about the ongoing threats to free expression.
A Growing Crisis: The Recent Surge in Book Bans
In recent years, the United States has seen an unprecedented surge in book bans and challenges. According to the American Library Association, the number of reported book challenges nearly doubled between 2020 and 2023, marking one of the most intense waves of censorship in modern history.
What’s behind this surge? Largely, it’s driven by increasing political and cultural tensions, with specific books being targeted for their treatment of sensitive subjects such as race, gender, sexuality, and history. Works like Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, which grapples with police violence and racial injustice, and George M. Johnson’s All Boys Aren’t Blue, a memoir about Black queer youth, have been pulled from shelves under the guise of protecting children. But in reality, these efforts only serve to silence critical voices and block access to stories that promote understanding and empathy.
The Real Cost of Censorship
Censorship doesn’t just limit what we can read; it has far-reaching consequences. When access to books is restricted, so too are the diverse experiences and viewpoints those books represent.
Ironically, censorship often achieves the opposite of its intended goal. Rather than protecting individuals, it creates barriers to understanding. By removing challenging ideas from public spaces, we fail to foster empathy and critical thinking, leaving us less prepared to navigate the complexities of the world around us.
Why Banned Books Week Matters More Than Ever
Banned Books Week isn’t just about celebrating controversial books—it’s about reaffirming our commitment to the freedom to read and recognizing the vital role literature plays in shaping a more just, empathetic society. By standing up against censorship, we ensure that stories continue to challenge, educate, and inspire us.
So this Banned Books Week, pick up a book that’s been challenged, share its story, and join the conversation. Together, we can help protect the right to explore ideas freely. As author and historian Stephen Chbosky once said, “Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.”
