Banned Books Week is an annual, week-long celebration of the Freedom to Read co-sponsored by national groups like the American Library Association, National Book Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, and others; It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. This year, Banned Books Week is celebrated September 22-28, 2024. At the Topsfield Town Library, we’re rockin’ in the free world with the ban[ne]d and shining a light on censorship, urging everyone to turn the page on banning books with music-themed days and displays.

History of Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. By focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

Increasing Challenges and Bans to Materials in Libraries and Schools

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has released new data documenting book challenges throughout the United States, finding that challenges of unique titles surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022 numbers, reaching the highest level ever documented by ALA.

Pressure groups in 2023 focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023.

Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.

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