Every year, libraries, schools, and readers across the country come together to celebrate Banned Books Week—a time to honor our freedom to read, reflect on the importance of intellectual freedom, and spotlight books that have faced censorship.  Stop by your campus library for events happening during the week of October 6 to 10, 2025.  

This year’s theme, Freedom to Read Week.  Whether it's a novel that challenges societal norms, a memoir that shares a marginalized perspective, or a children's book that sparks curiosity, every story deserves the chance to be heard.

🔍 Why Do Books Get Banned?

Books are often challenged or banned for content related to race, gender identity, sexuality, religion, or political viewpoints. But behind every challenge is a conversation about values, identity, and the power of literature to provoke thought and inspire change.

📖 What Can You Do?
Explore Our Display: Visit our Banned Books Week exhibit to discover titles that have been challenged—and why they matter.
Protect the Right to Read: Support organizations that advocate for intellectual freedom, like the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

🌟 Featured Titles
Here are just a few of the powerful books that have faced challenges over the years:
•    The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
•    Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
•    To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
•    The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
•    1984 by George Orwell

These books—and many others—offer windows into different lives, mirrors for self-reflection, and doors to new ideas.