Skip to Main Content

Banned Books Week: About Banned Books

About Banned Books

Every year, there are hundreds of attempts to remove books from American bookstores, libraries, and schools. These challenges and the books restricted or banned from readers results in thousands of lost opportunities to explore ideas that fuel better understanding of the world around us. Words have immense power, and access to diverse ideas makes all of us more powerful. Celebrate the freedom to read and raise awareness of censorship by reading your favorite banned book during Banned Books Week, September 22 - 28, 2024. 

 

Banned Books 101

Banned vs. Challenged Books

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. 

A banning is the actual removal of those materials. 

Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.  Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.

Citation: American Library Association. (n.d.). About banned & challenged books. ALA. https://www.ala.org/bbooks/aboutbannedbooks

Why Are Books Banned?