Banned Books Week: 2022

Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has stood as an an important week of awareness and advocacy against library and book censorship.

Celebrate Banned Books Week, September 18-24, 2022. American Library Association

2021 and 2022 have seen an unprecedented rise in attempted book bans across schools and libraries in America piloted by advocacy groups, some having taken place in nearby counties. Started in the 1980s as an awareness campaign by the cooperation of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and the publishing community, Banned Books Week seeks to advocate for freedom by drawing attention to books that have been challenged for removal in library and school collections. It also reminds us of historical banning or removal of texts.

Celebrating Banned Books Week reminds us of the power of words. 

Click through to read more about Banned Books Week, including the books that were most frequently challenged in 2021.

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Banned Books Week Sept. 22-29, 2019

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and open access to information for all. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or censorship in libraries and schools. 

lightulb with text reading: Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark.  Keep the Light On!

Image courtesy of https://bannedbooksweek.org/promotional-tools/

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles lists of challenged books in order to bring awareness of censorship that affect libraries and schools. 

Stop by our banned books display on the lower level of Main library and pick up a bookmark, sticker, or coloring sheet at the library’s desk to celebrate your freedom to read.

red book wrapped in yellow caution tape that reads Banned Books Week
Image courtesy of https://bannedbooksweek.org/promotional-tools/

Celebrate Banned Books Week Sept. 23-29

Banned Books Week is an annual event which celebrates the freedom to read and highlights the importance of open access to information for all. Banned Books Week brings awareness to issues of censorship in libraries and schools. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles reports from libraries, schools, and the media of attempts to ban books in communities across the country.

Banned Book Week gif

Image from American Library Association

To see a list of the most frequently challenged and banned books, visit: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks

Stop by our banned books display on the lower level of the library and pick up a bookmark or coloring sheet at the library’s desk to celebrate your freedom to read.Durham Tech Library's Banned Books displayDurham Tech Library's Banned Books display