History
Since 1982, when Judith Krug, Director of the American Library Associations Intellectual Freedom office coordinated a campaign to spark awareness of the number of requests to ban books, the third week of each September continues to be the annual observance of Banned & Challenged Books Week. Yes! It’s Banned & Challenged Books Week 2019!
Reasons and Numbers of Bans
Though most calls to ban books originate in elementary, middle and high schools, the organization also tracks complaints made to public libraries and universities. Parents and community leaders have objected to cultural insensitivity, offensive language, sexual themes, racism and magic in books. In 2018 the American Library Association (ALA) tracked challenges and bans to 483 titles.
Your Role
How is it celebrated? By requesting and reading as many banned books as possible this week, for starters. Throughout the year stay alert for calls to restrict access to titles, read them and decide for yourself. Report challenges to the ALA.
Read about Banned & Challenged Books Week 2018.