Resources
American Library Association Banned & Challenged Books website 
This website from the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom includes information on Banned Books Week.
American Library Association Field Reports
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.
Amnesty's Banned Books Week Action
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.
Banned Books Research Inquiries for the American Library Association
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.
Banned Books Week Display Ideas from the American Library Association
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.
Bannings and Burnings in History
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 the previous year.
The Little Free Library® (LFL) nonprofit organization has released an updated version of its interactive Book Ban Map, developed in partnership with the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and PEN America. First launched in 2024, the map now includes the latest data, highlighting where bans are intensifying and showing nearby Little Free Library book-sharing boxes where readers can freely access books.
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.
Intellectual Freedom: Issues and Resources
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: Book Ban Busters
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.
The American Library Association 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.
The State of America's Libraries
The American Library Association publishes an annual report on the state of libraries in the United States.
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
