Banned Books Week 2026
Banned Books Week 2026 will run from October 4–10, 2026, with the theme “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.”
Official Theme and Message
The American Library Association (ALA) and the Banned Books Week Coalition have announced the 2026 theme: “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” This campaign features three illustrations by award‑winning artists Hyesu Lee, Loveis Wise, and Mikey Burton, celebrating joy, creativity, and resilience in the face of censorship. The message emphasizes that a small number of organized censorship campaigns should not dictate what the public can read, and that libraries must remain open to all.
Key Dates:
October 4–10, 2026 — Banned Books Week
October 10, 2026 — Let Freedom Read Day, a day of direct action against censorship
Context and Data
ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported that in 2025, 4,235 unique titles were challenged, with 5,668 titles banned from libraries — the highest number of censored works in a single year since data collection began in 1990. Nearly 92% of challenges came from pressure groups, government officials, or decision‑makers.
How To Participate:
Attend local library, school, or community events during Oct. 4–10, 2026.
Read a banned or challenged book and share your experience.
Join Let Freedom Read Day actions on Oct. 10, 2026.
For more details, resources, and event listings, visit bannedbooksweek.org or the ALA Banned Books Week page https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned
