Banned Books Week

This website from the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom includes information on Banned Books Week.

The Field Report examines attempts to curtail the freedom to read, offering more information about censorship attacks. This annual report is the perfect handout for those who don’t know about the scope of censorship in libraries and for readers who want to stay informed about recent attempts to restrict access to information.

Every September since 1990, Amnesty International has worked with partners during Banned Books Week to draw attention to writers, editors, librarians, publishers, poets, musicians, and readers who suffer human rights violations because of their work. Because of the proverbial “power of the word”, many journalists and artists are under attack around the world — by governments and opposition groups.

Created by the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), The Banned Book Club is an effort to ensure all readers have access to all the books they want to read. The banned books are available to readers for free from the Palace e-reader app.

Oftentimes ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives requests from students and researchers for information about specific banned and challenged books. Part of OIF's mission is to provide support to library workers and teachers who report censorship. Due to the confidential nature of many of those situations, they are limited to providing only publicly available information.

Learn about the history of the annual event and how you can celebrate.

Banned book displays kick-off conversations about censorship and inspire readers to explore challenged materials. These display ideas are from libraries across the U.S. — some which only require construction paper and an imagination.

The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. This is a list of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books.

Some of the most controversial books in history are now regarded as classics. The Bible and works by Shakespeare are among those that have been banned over the past two thousand years. Here is a selective timeline of book bannings, burnings, and other censorship activities.

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has released preliminary data documenting a continued uptick in attempts to censor books, materials, and services across public, school, and academic libraries in the United States during 2023.

Book Résumés help teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, book review committees, elected officials, and board members.

A Library of Congress exhibit that highlights the importance of books in Americans' lives.

Inspired by the American Library Association's Freedom to Read Statement, Books Unbanned is a response to an increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove books from library shelves.

Every year, the American Library Association compiles data on censorship attempts in libraries around the United States based on reports from the field and media coverage.

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom provides confidential support during censorship challenges to library materials, services, and programs. Anyone can report censorship, even if they do not require assistance.

Intellectual freedom is the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries.

PEN America tracks book bans in libraries and classrooms across America in our Index of School Book Bans, updated weekly.

Red Wine & Blue is a sisterhood working to change the world together, one suburb at a time. Red Wine & Blue provides everything women need to successfully organize in their communities and beyond.

Reporting censorship and challenges to materials, resources, and services is vital to defending library resources and to protect against challenges before they happen.

Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.