Banned Books Week Press Kit
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, Sept. 25 - Oct. 1
By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week 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.Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, 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.
Events
List of Local Banned Books Week Events
Press Releases
Banned Books Week makes international splash across the pond
Banned Books Virtual Read-Out!
For the fifth year in a row, readers from across the country and around the world will be able to participate virtually during Banned Books Week 2016. Participants may proclaim the importance of the freedom to read by posting videos that will be featured on a dedicated Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out YouTube channel. Watch celebrity videos for the Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out.
2015 Virtual Read-Out Videos from Sponsor SAGE and ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Resources
Download Banned Books Week Artwork
About Banned & Challenged Books
Challenges to Library Materials
Banned Books Week Coalition Website - an umbrella website to share resources and promote Banned Books Week events for all the sponsors
Yearly Lists of Challenged and/or Banned Books
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2014-2015
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2013-2014 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2012-2013 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2011-2012 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2010-2011 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2009-2010 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2008-2009 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2007-2008 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2006-2007 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2005-2006 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2004-2005 (PDF)
Banned Books Week Social Media Channels
Sponsors
First observed in 1982, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; Author's Guild; Comic Book Legal Defense Fund; Dramatists Legal Defense Fund; Freedom to Read Foundation; National Coalition Against Censorship; National Council of Teachers of English; People for the American Way; PEN America and Project Censored. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
Media Contacts:
Media interested in scheduling interviews with ALA spokespersons may contact Macey Morales, deputy director, ALA Public Awareness Office, 312-280-4393, [email protected]; Steve Zalusky, manager of communications, 312-280-1546, [email protected]; or Heather Cho, media relations specialist, [email protected] or 312-280-4020.
