September 25 through October 1 is Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and highlighting challenges to free and open access to information.
Banned Books Week brings together librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types to celebrate the freedom to seek, to publish, to read, and to express ideas–even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country draw national attention to the harms of censorship. Books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restrictions in libraries and schools.
While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the week-long celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.
What books have been challenged?