Banned Books Week 2026 will take place October 4 to October 10, 2026
This year, Banned Books Week will be held October 4 – 10. Watch this space for information on resources, events, and ways to participate.
Banned Books Week 2026 Theme
Designed for use in Banned Books Week events nationwide and internationally, the 2026 theme is "Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read." This year's Banned Books Week campaign features three illustrations showing how libraries and access to information enrich our lives.
Banned Books Week Apparel
Wear your support for literary freedom! Unbanning books is liberation: liberation through literary representation, the freedom to read what you want (not what some politician wants), and organizing to #setbooksfree. We have t-shirts (single-sided and double-sided), hoodies, and tank tops in a variety of colors — even tie-dye!
Physical Kit
Watch this space for information on receiving a physical Banned Books Week kit!
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.
This year's Banned Books Week kit is in development, but previous years' kits have included bookmarks and buttons; a poster and stickers, sponsored by Ingram; and caution tape for creating an eye-catching display.
Discounts
Ingram is providing a 2 percent discount: As part of the Banned Books Week celebration, Ingram is offering a two percent discount on banned and challenged titles. Precise dates for the promotion are TBA. 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 [email protected].)
Digital Kit
Access to digital kit assets here. (2026 digital kit assets to come.)
Banned Books Week 2026 Digital Assets
Banned Books Week Coalition logo
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.)
Order the ABA Right to Read Handbook
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.
Unite Against Book Bans Tools and Resources
ALA's Top 13 Most Challenged Books of past years
Celebrate Banned Books Week Handbook: The handbook includes programming ideas, best practices for events, and tips for decorating your store.
The ABA Right to Read Toolkit: How Booksellers and Readers Can Resist Book Bans
The ABA Right to Read Toolkit for booksellers
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.
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.
NEW! The ABA Right to Read Toolkit
Banned Books Week Hashtags
A list of hashtags associated with this year’s event are: #BannedBooksWeek, #BannedBooks, and #BannedBooksList.
To learn more, visit www.bannedbooksweek.org.