Since 1982, libraries nationwide have defended access to diverse information by drawing attention to threats against the right to read. The University Libraries are proud to join the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (ALA OIF) and publishers, booksellers, libraries and schools in recognizing Banned Books Week, September 18–24, 2022.
ALA OIF tracked 729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2021, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. Most targeted books were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons. Learn more.
Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The theme of this year’s event is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.”
Ways to Participate:
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Visit our display of banned books at the Norlin Library East Entrance.
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Stop by our table at the Norlin Library East Entrance on Wednesday, September 21, from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. to learn more about the fight for the right to read.
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Explore our banned books guide to see the most frequently challenged books, as compiled by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.
George M. Johnson was selected by the ALA Banned Books Week Coalition to be this year's honorary chair of Banned Books Week. Johnson writes on themes of race, gender, sex and culture and seeks to give young readers stories that represent their lived experiences and is the bestselling author of the book All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir/Manifesto — the third most challenged book on the ALA’s Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021 for its LGBTQ+ content.
We look forward to recognizing the ways books unite us during Banned Books Week!
Image courtesy of ALA