Banned Books Week and Censorship

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September or the first week of October, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

From the American Library Association Website: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks

Who Bans or Challenges Books?

First, it's important to emphasize that neither librarians nor libraries ban or challenge books!  Libraries are all about the freedom to read and librarians discourage censorship in all forms.  Typically, a book challenge or banning occurs when individual or group decides that a particular book does not belong on the shelf in a library because of something that particular individual or group does not like about the book.  Perhaps they think it uses offensive language or presents an idea that is radical or different from societal norms.  Perhaps these individuals believe they need to protect children or another group from non-mainstream, difficult or controversial ideas and information.  Parents challenge books more often than any other individual or group, but other examples are:  government bodies, elected officials, religious organizations or officials, board members and even teachers!

Why are Books Banned or Challenged?

The top three reasons why books are challenged or banned are:  sexually explicit, offensive language, and unsuited to any age group.  Other reasons include racism, anti-family, nudity, suicide, drugs, violence, homosexuality, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint and others!

Celebrate Your Freedom to Read by Checking Out a Banned Book Today!

The American Library Association documented 821 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2024. The most common reasons for challenges were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and dealing with topics of race, racism, inclusivity, equity, and social justice. Of the 2,452 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2024, below are the top 10 most frequently targeted. These ten are only a small representation of the books challenged or banned across the United States! Celebrate your freedom to read - stop by the ENMU Golden Library or your local public library today to check out one of these (or other) books. 

Check out the Banned Books Week channel on YouTube.  Watch authors discuss censorship and banned books.