Banned Books Week is an annual event in the United States celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week will be held October 1 – 7, 2023. Banned Books Week began in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. During the week, events are held to highlight the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, book creators, journalists, educators, and readers in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

I’ve gathered a few resources so that you can individually or collectively celebrate your freedom to read.

• Visit the ALA’s Banned Books site to find events, resources, and news about all things Banned Books. They is also provide a link to purchase swag while supporting the American Library Association, a key fighter for intellectual freedom.
• The Children’s Book Council is providing Free Speech Kits, which includes:

• #FREADOM coloring page (to make copies)
• The Pride Love & Acceptance poster, created by Chan Chau in partnership with SLJ (originally made available in fall 2022)
• A page about a book teaching kids about banned books, by Pat Scales with the ALA
• A letter from Raj Halder and Sourcebooks about their upcoming title, This Book is Banned

Learn more and request the kit.

• In its stand against censorship, Penguin Random House stands with readers and authors to support intellectual freedom. “We at Penguin Random House fervently oppose these attempts at censorship because we believe that books make us better, and students in particular deserve access to a wide range of perspectives.” more

PRH has joined PEN America to fight book bans in court. In May, they filed a lawsuit to get books back into schools in Florida. They’re also provided Right to Read kits that includes an easel, customizable signage, resources and title lists, and a postcard pack. Request your kit today. And most important, PRH pledges to continue publishing diverse stories and ideas.

• I’ve collected a few more resources on my Challenging, Banning, and Censoring The Freedom to Read Libguide. Information here includes legislation, organizations that work for information freedom, bans by state, definitions, and more.
• If you want to keep it really simple
  • Get a library card. Check out a banned book.
  • Write a letter or postcard to your library in support of your favorite banned book.
  • Write an email or call your favorite librarian on English teacher to thank for what they did/do for you.
  • Go to a local bookstore and buy (and read!) a banned book.

I’ve planned a passive bingo game for my library by designing individual sheets. We’ll also have a display and programming provided by campus groups.

We’ve got one week to celebrate the fact that in this country, we have the freedom to read and write for 52 weeks of the year. Let’s actively celebrate during this week so we don’t lose this freedom.