Banned Books Week®
The American Library Association and Banned Books Week Coalition are pleased to announce the theme for Banned Books Week 2025: “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” Banned Books Week will take place October 5 – 11, 2025.
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 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.
“The 2025 theme of Banned Books Week serves as a reminder that censorship efforts persist to this day,” ALA President Cindy Hohl said. “We must always come together to stand up for the right to read.”
During National Library Week, ALA released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 list and the State of America’s Libraries report. The majority of book censorship attempts now originate from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites, which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books.
Banned Books Week launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. ALA offers a variety of free downloads, resources, and materials to support Banned Books Week activities at www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned. Posters, bookmarks, and other materials featuring the theme will are available in the ALA Store and ALA Graphics Gift Shop.
Libraries, schools, and nonprofit organizations that plan to participate in Banned Books Week are encouraged to apply for a Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund Programming Grant from the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF). Grants are awarded for $1,000, and the deadline for application is April 30, 2025.
ALA is a founding member of the Banned Books Week Coalition (bannedbooksweek.org), an international alliance of diverse organizations joined by a commitment to increase awareness of the annual celebration of the freedom to read. The Coalition appoints an honorary chair and youth honorary chair to lead Banned Books Week. Past honorary chairs include banned authors Jason Reynolds (All American Boys, 2021) and George M. Johnson (All Boys Aren’t Blue, 2022), literacy champion LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow, 2023), and filmmaker Ava DuVernay (Origin, 2024). The 2025 honorary chairs will be announced in the coming weeks.
Banned Books Week is ® American Library Association.
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship. Take action and defend the right to read for all Americans.
About Book Bans and Challenges
Books are still being banned and challenged today. A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials.
While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.
The most challenged books of 2023. For lists of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books for each year, visit the Top 10 Most Challenged Books Archive.
ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed with its Office for Intellectual Freedom by library professionals in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States.
The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom data documents book challenges throughout the United States, finding that challenges of unique titles surged in 2023.
Banned Books Week Programming and Resources
Displays
Banned book displays kick-off conversations about censorship and inspire readers to explore challenged materials. Check out some display ideas from libraries across the U.S. — some of which only require construction paper and an imagination.
Other Resources
This resource offers issues, strategies, and resources for preparing your professional community (teacher librarians and public librarians) to celebrate Banned Books Week.
The Banned Books Week Coalition, which includes OIF, is an international alliance of diverse organizations joined by a commitment to increase awareness about censorship attempts and to encourage the defense of the freedom to read. The Coalition website includes downloads, resources, and an event calendar that anyone can use.
A History of Banned Books Week
Read about the history of Banned Books Week and ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom in American Libraries Magazine.
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview related to Banned Books Week or other ALA intellectual freedom initiatives, contact ALA's Communications and Marketing Office.
