Banned Books Week 2025 subjectId: 690839

Censorship Is So 1984 -- Read for Your Rights! With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984 serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s Banned Books Week theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights. Banned Books Week will take place October 5 – 11, 2025.

To find out more about censorship data, visit the American Library Association's (ALA) website here! 

To learn more about virtual events and talks during Banned Books Week visit the ALA's website here!

As per the ALA's Q&A Section on why Banned Book Week matters, "Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek, to publish, to read, and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular."

Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights
Banned Books Week 2025

What is Banned Books Week?

Every fall, libraries, schools, bookstores, museums, and other places around the world organize in celebration of Banned Books Week. Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week was established in response to a rapid surge in book challenges across libraries, bookstores, and schools.

Taking place October 5th to October 11th, Banned Books Week 2025 encourages us to reflect on the increasing waves of censorship, and to acknowledge the importance of libraries in maintaining access to all narratives and ideas—even those considered controversial.

Throughout the week, libraries across the country celebrate the freedom to read while calling attention to continued efforts to ban books that feature the stories of people whose identities and viewpoints have traditionally been underrepresented—such as immigrants, refugees, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people with disabilities.

Recently, libraries have found themselves at the center of a culture war. As individuals and interest groups lead historic efforts to challenge and ban academic materials addressing racism, sexual identity, gender, and politics, libraries are being called to fight against censorship efforts at unprecedented rates. This call is not entirely new. Librarians have always been on the front lines defending our freedom to read. However, in recent years, the number of titles challenged, banned, or targeted for censorship has increased drastically across several states.

Censorship by the Numbers

Every year, the American Library Association (ALA) compiles data on book challenges from reports filed with its Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). Based on information provided by library professionals, community members, as well as news stories published throughout the United States, ALA releases the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books” list each year.  Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the 2024 data compiled by ALA represents only a snapshot of book censorship throughout the year.

 In 2024, ALA counted 821 attempts to censor library materials and services. Among these cases, 2,452 unique titles were challenged. Although this year saw a decrease in reported censorship attempts—down from 1,247 attempts and 4,240 unique titles challenged in 2023—this year’s number remains significantly higher than pre-2020 levels. The ALA cites the following factors as contributing to this year’s decline: (1.) underreporting, (2.) censorship by exclusion (i.e. restricting access or avoiding controversial purchases), and (3.) state-level legislative restrictions.

Of the reported materials, 55% of book challenges targeted materials in public libraries, 43% targeted books and materials in school libraries, classroom libraries or school curricula, and 2% targeted higher education materials. Moreover, the ALA collects state-by-state statistics where they ranked Florida third nationally in the number of challenged book titles, with a total of 770 successfully challenged titles in 2024.

According to data from the ALA, a majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. As a result, nearly 72% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups, government entities, and administrators rather than by individual parents or local library users. These organized campaigns often target books with LGBTQ+ themes, racial topics, or content deemed sexually explicit, even when these books have literary or educational merit.

Why are books challenged?

Oftentimes, book challenges are motivated by a desire to protect children from “inappropriate” content or “offensive” language. The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom:
1.)  the materials were considered "sexually explicit”,
2.)  the material contained "offensive language”,
3.)  the materials were considered "unsuited to any age group"

When concerned individuals object to the availability of certain books in a school or library, they present a complaint to the school board or library administration, calling for the removal of any materials deemed offensive. These challenges are then reviewed by the appropriate administration. If the verdict requires the challenged book to be relocated or removed from public access entirely, then the book is considered banned.

Book challenges are about more than just one person or group expressing an opinion about a particular title or author; they serve as an attempt to limit access to specific points of view. In Florida, many of the books challenged and subsequently banned have been books that touch on race (ex. The Bluest Eye by: Toni Morrison), sexuality (ex. Lawn Boy by: Jonathan Evison) or gender identity (ex. Gender Queer: A Memoir by: Maia Kobabe). Notably in Florida, these challenges have led to a federal lawsuit against one Florida county regarding the school board’s decision to ban and restrict access to over 1,600 books. Led by writers' advocacy group PEN America and the largest publisher in the U.S. –Penguin Random House, the lawsuit alleges that recent decisions by officials in Escambia County to ban and restrict access to books in school libraries violates students’ equal protection under the law citing violations of free speech and educational rights.

Books have always served as a way for readers to build connections and expand their worldview. The act of engaging with stories that extend beyond our own lived experiences is unifying; censorship, on the other hand, divides and creates barriers. For the full list of this years banned books list and their reasons for being banned, please visit the ALA’s “Top 10 most Challenged Books” list.

Banned Books Week at the University of Miami  
Come join us in October for a week-long celebration of free speech and great literature! Beginning October 5th, visit the library’s Banned Books Week display to check out a book that has been challenged or banned – some of the titles may surprise you.

Want to know more? Check out our Banned Books Week Guide to learn more about what happens when a book is challenged.
 
Exercise your right to read – check out a banned book from the library!

While we are not hosting an in-person event this year, please watch our website for Banned Books information!  Look for our exhibits coming in October 2025!

Join the Virtual Read-out!  Take a look at the Banned Books Week YouTube channel, featuring celebrities reading from their favorite banned book.  Want to join in?  Take a video of yourself reading aloud from a banned book and submit it online!

"Florida Department of Education releases list of over 700 banned books in K through 12 schools."

List of books banned by school district in Florida. 

"Miami New Times: Every known Florida School District Book Ban July 2021 - June 2024."

"Freedom to read advocates cheer decision in PRH v Gibson."

"Gov. Ron DeSantis signs education bill limiting book challanges." 

ALA Resources for fighting censorship 

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom

So You Want to Support Your Library? School and Public Libraries Need Your Support in a Wave of Book Banning

"How book banning challenges education and academic freedom in schools."

"How book bans are impacting teachers and students: insights from First Book Research & Insights."

"How Americans feel about book ban restrictions: survey."

"Censorship report show a mixed picture on U.S. book challenges."

"Report: Last year ended with a surge in book bans." 

"Books banned across US hit record high in 2023-2024 school year: report." 

"Book bans in US schools and libraries surged to record highs in 2023." 

"Objection to sexual, LGBTQ content propels spike in book challenges." 

"The book ban movement has a chilling new tactic: harassing teachers on social media."

ALA Banned & Challenged Books in the United States