Book Banning in the United States

Started by the American Library Association in 1982, Banned Books Week takes place annually on the second week of October. The purpose is to celebrate the books that have been banned or eliminated from libraries, schools and other institutions by certain groups of people in the United States, and to call attention to the harm caused by taking books away from readers. This year's theme is "Censorship is so 1984 - Read for Your Rights."

Sadly, the banning of books continues today and has in fact intensified over the last few years. Since 2021, book banning efforts have increased due to the organized efforts of extremist groups seeking to ban not just one title, but often whole lists of books at once. While not all targeted items have in fact been banned, the intention to do so by itself is alarming. Last year, 2024, marked the third highest number of titles ever challenged in the U.S.; 55% of these challenges took place in public libraries, and school libraries came in second at 38%. (Source: https://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10)

While book ban attempts do take place in Massachusetts, they are less common, and rare in the Berkshires. Even so, it's an ongoing issue that most libraries highlight each October. Here at the Milne, we've created a display of books that have been banned (please check them out!) and are hosting a trivia night featuring banned books and films. Also, Saturday, October 11th is Let Freedom Read Day, when we'll show Cabaret, a Broadway production which has been banned in the past, and have another pop-up display focusing on what citizens can do to combat censorship. For more information about how the Milne Public Library collects and withdraws materials, and how we address controversial items, please see our Collection Development policy.

Virtual events about book banning:

October 8th @ 4:30pm: Free People Read Freely: A Banned Books Week Call to Action, Smith College

October 5-11: Everylibrary's Banned Books Week Fest 2025

Anytime: Watch Banned Together on Kanopy (free with your library card)

Want to learn more? Check out the links below:

Banned Books Week (October 5th-11th)

Organized by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Banned Books Week Coalition, this site provides information and suggestions about banned books and how libraries can celebrate this week.

Let Freedom Read Day (October 11th)

Also organized by the Banned Books Coalition, this day highlights censorship and the ways that any citizen can combat the censorship of books.

PEN America

One of 100+ centers making up PEN International, which together fight censorship of the written word worldwide.

American Library Association, Banned & Challenged Books

ALA's compilation of data about banned books in the United States, such as the most banned titles from 2010-2019, the most banned books in 2024, and the 100 most banned titles in history.