Banned Books Week 2025: What It Is, the Latest Numbers, and How to Show Up

Banned Books Week kicks off October 5–11, 2025 with the theme “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.”It’s a national moment to lift up the freedom to read and the people who protect it—librarians, educators, students, and readers in every community.

What the numbers say right now

• In schools: PEN America tracked 6,870 instances of book bans in the 2024–25 school year across 23 states and 87 public school districts—with the highest concentrations in Florida and Texas. 

• In libraries: ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom logged 821 attempts to censor materials and services in 2024, targeting 2,452 unique titles—still far above pre-2020 levels.

• Cultural impact: Headlines this week highlighted how even beloved authors are getting swept up in bans, underscoring how broad the pressure has become.

How to show up this week (easy, actionable)

1. Visit your library. Check out a challenged title, post a shelfie, and thank staff.

2. Ask your school for its policy. Ensure there’s a transparent, written process for challenges and appeals.

3. Bring a friend to an event. Many libraries host read-outs, story times, and panel talks during Banned Books Week. 

4. Support local educators. Offer to help with wish lists or classroom libraries.

5. Share one stat, one story. A single post with a clear number (see above) + a favorite banned title moves people.

6. Keep it peaceful and welcoming. The goal is building readers, not winning arguments.

Captions you can copy/paste

• “Free people read freely.”

• “No bans, just books.”

• “Libraries are for everyone.”

• “Reading is not a crime.”

• “Censorship is so 1984.”

Want a simple way to wear the message?

We made a clean, rally-ready “No Bans, Just Books” design (tees, totes, mugs)—printed in the USA, 10% of profits support the ACLU. If you’re heading to a library event or school board meeting, it’s an easy conversation starter that keeps the focus on readers. (Shop: Books collection on Civic Goods)

Quick checklist for librarians/parents/advocates

• Confirm your district’s materials review policy is public.

• Ask how often diverse reading lists are refreshed.

• Encourage student voices—book clubs, read-outs, zines.

• Keep discussions centered on choice, access, and age-appropriate selection, not on removing ideas.