Banned Books Week (September 25th – October 1st) is a nationwide celebration of the freedom to read. Hundreds of libraries and bookstores around the country take this week to draw attention to the problem of censorship.
Banned Books Week was founded in 1982 by First Amendment and library activist Judith Krug, and has been held during the last week of September ever since. More than 11,300 books have been challenged or banned since 1982 according to the American Library Association.
While many books continue to be banned even today, Banned Books Week celebrates the fact that the majority of censored books have still remained available. This is due to the efforts of librarians, community members, teachers and students who stand up for the freedom to read.
This year’s Banned Books Week is celebrating diversity. We encourage you to expand your reading horizons and check out a banned book at your local library or independent bookstore.
Because we read banned books.