Banned Books Week, October 1-7, was launched in 1982. Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.
So what can you do to celebrate Banned Books Week?
- Participate in Let Freedom Read Day on October 7th
- Check out and/or buy a banned book
- Attend Banned Books Week events
- Join the Banned Books Week coalition for their Instagram live with 2023 Banned Books Week Honorary Chair LeVar Burton Oct. 4th
“Books bring us together. They teach us about the world and each other. The ability to read and access books is a fundamental right and a necessity for life-long success,” says Burton. “But books are under attack. They’re being removed from libraries and schools. Shelves have been emptied because of a small number of people and their misguided efforts toward censorship. Public advocacy campaigns like Banned Books Week are essential to helping people understand the scope of book censorship and what they can do to fight it. I’m honored to lead Banned Books Week 2023,” Levar Burton.