ALA Reports Record 4,240 Books Targeted in 2023 Censorship Wave

Banned Books Week 2025, held from October 5 to 11, highlights ongoing efforts to censor books in libraries, schools, and bookstores across the United States, emphasizing the importance of the freedom to read. The American Library Association reports a significant rise in organized attempts to ban or restrict books, with thousands of unique titles challenged in recent years, underscoring a sustained national concern. Events such as the Leelanau Reads community discussion on Tim O’Brien’s "The Things They Carried," the Menlo Park Library's online presentation, and the Seattle Public Library's community read-in aim to engage the public in conversations about censorship and celebrate the right to read banned books. George Takei serves as honorary chair of Banned Books Week 2025, symbolizing the cultural and activist support for resisting censorship. The week’s theme, “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights,” serves as a reminder that censorship efforts persist and that communities must unite to protect intellectual freedom. Library leaders stress the need to support library workers amid these challenges, as threats to funding and professionals coincide with the rise in censorship attempts.