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Banned Books Week

About Banned Books Week

Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community and is held each year during the last week of September. Today, Banned Books Week coverage by mainstream media reaches an estimated 2.8 billion readers.

The theme of this year’s event is “Books Unite Us, Censorship Divides Us.” This year’s motif is a pair of hands sharing a book, superimposed on a globe. The 2021 theme is intended to be inclusive, emphasizing the ways in which books and information bring people together, help individuals see themselves in the stories of others, and aid the development of empathy and understanding for people from other backgrounds.

Banned Books Week 2021 will take place September 26 to October 2.

Physical Kit

The deadline to sign up for a physical Banned Books Week kit has passed.

Banned Books Week kits are sent annually to participating stores and include materials to decorate your store and educate customers about the freedom to read. Supplies are limited and are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Kits will be included in ABA’s September Box mailing. If your store does not receive a September Box, the kit will be shipped separately.

Digital Kit

Discounts

3% discount from Ingram: As part of the Banned Books Week celebration, Ingram is offering a three percent discount on banned and challenged titles. The promotion is running from August 23 through October 8. Place your orders from a list of banned and challenged titles on ipage®. No promotional code is needed. (For more information about the Ingram program or to place an order, contact your Ingram sales representative, call Ingram Customer Care, (800) 937-8200, or email orders@ingrambook.com.)

10% off coupon for ALA’s Banned Books Week Store: The American Library Association is offering ABA members a coupon for its online store. Access the coupon code here. The last day to order Banned Books Week products to receive them in time is September 10. Shop Banned Books Week products.

Promotional Tools

Counter card

Banned Books Week Coalition logo

Social media and web banners

Shelf-talkers

Poster and flier templates

American Library Association (ALA) assets

(Note: The images and downloadables from the Banned Books Week Coalition are free to use for non-monetized, promotional purposes in support of Banned Books Week. Images cannot be used for fundraising or salable merchandise.)

Resources

ALA’s Top 10 Most Challenged Books

ALA’s “Get Involved” resources: The resources include a Stand for the Banned read-out, a Dear Banned Author letter-writing campaign, actions for each day of Banned Books Week, and more.

Celebrate Banned Books Week Handbook: The handbook includes programming ideas, best practices for events, and tips for decorating your store.

Banned Books Week Coalition resources: Check out the Banned Books Week Coalition’s resources, which include print and digital resources, event resources, and more.

Program Ideas

American Library Association has a list of 40 virtual program ideas for Banned Books Week. Ideas include story time or Q&A with a banned author, an online bingo based on banned book titles, and a partnership with an organization that centers on Black voices to discuss racism and the continuing challenges books about racism and police brutality face.

Events

Visit the Banned Books Week Coalition’s events page for continuously updated event information. If you are hosting your own Banned Books Week event, be sure to register it online to be included on the Banned Books Week event calendar.