Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week 2019 will take place September 22 to 28.

The American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) is a sponsor and advocate for Banned Books Week, which celebrates the freedom to read by encouraging readouts, bookstore displays, and community activities designed to raise awareness of the ongoing threat of censorship. Held each year during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982, according to the American Library Association.

The theme of this year’s event is “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark. Keep the Light On!” The Banned Books Week website is the hub for information about how individuals and institutions can become involved in celebrating this important event. The Banned Books Week Coalition will support indie bookstores’ celebration with programming ideas, promotional materials, and other resources.

To learn more, visit www.bannedbooksweek.org.

Check out booksellers’ 2018 Banned Books Week displays on Facebook.