What is Banned Books Week?

"Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular." -- ALA Banned Books Week

History of Banned Books Week

"Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982 according to the American Library Association." - Banned Books Week

Banned vs Challenged: What's the difference?

Challenge: "An attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.

Banned:  Removal of materials.

Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection." -- ALA About Banned & Challenged Books

Diane Schrecker, MLIS, M.Ed.

Curriculum Librarian
Head of the IRC
✉ dschreck@ashland.edu
☏ 419.207.6406

Stay Connected!

Being Social: Banned Books Week

How would you rate your knowledge of banned and/or censored books?

This library guides uses images courtesy of free downloads from the ALA Banned Books Week web site.