Banned Books at Menlo College

The History of Banned Books Week

From the ALA Banned and Challenged Books website:

Launched in 1982 by the American Library Association (ALA) in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools, Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information and 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.

This event also draws national attention to the harms of censorship by increasing awareness of the efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books through data. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. 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.