Banned Books Week & Celebrating the Freedom to Read

October 1-7, 2023, is Banned Books Week, an annual occurrence highlighting the value of free and open access to information and the freedom to read. Banned Books Week is supported by a coalition of organizations dedicated to free expression, including the American Library Association (ALA), with libraries across the country celebrating the freedom to read through their displays, programs, events, and communications. This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Read,” with October 7 being designated as “Let Freedom Read Day.”

Banned Books Week 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.

If you would like to participate in this year’s Banned Books Week, stop by Western Libraries during the month of October and check out the display in Haggard 2 near Circulation Services. While you’re there, pick up a Banned Books Week bookmark from the circulation desk (while supplies last).

There are also a number of events happening throughout the country this week, many of them free and virtual. And you can take a look at the ALA “Free Downloads” page for an assortment of downloadable fact sheets, graphics, posters, and a list of the Top 13 most challenged books of 2022.