Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week 2022 will take place September 18 to September 24

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

Given the onslaught of book challenges and bannings this year, ABA’s theme for this year’s Banned Books Week event is the timely and catchy, “I Read Dangerously.”

Physical Kit

The deadline to sign up for a physical Banned Books Week kit has passed. Kits will be included in ABA’s July Box mailing. If your store does not receive a July Box, the kit will be shipped separately.

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. We ask that each bookstore branch fill out its own form. Online-only stores and international stores are NOT eligible to receive kits.

Digital Kit

Discounts

Check back in Spring 2022 for information on Banned Books Week-related discounts.

Promotional Tools

Counter card

Sample BBW Press Release

Banned Books Week Coalition logo

Printable Handouts and Social media assets

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 of past years

ALA’s BBW Materials and more in the Spring/Summer Graphics Catalog

ALA’s Field Report for 2021 will be available in the coming months (with full descriptions; current year available for purchase only; prior years available for free here)

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

ALA’s ideas and resources: Resources include Banned Books Week Q&A, display ideas, a sample letter to the editor.

ABFE’s free expression resources: Resources include a tool to educate customers about banned books, how to handle a records request about school district orders, sample template letters to school and library boards, and tips for handling trolls on social media.

Customer Engagement/Program and Event Ideas

Banned books bingo game template for 2022

Top 25 banned books checklist

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.

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.