What happens when someone tries to ban a book in a library?

During Banned Books Week, Oct. 4–10, you can explore that question for yourself and take home a complimentary banned book. The University Libraries will distribute copies of frequently challenged books at the Norlin Library East Entrance on Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Books will be distributed every 15 minutes while supplies last.

Banned Books Week draws attention to censorship and challenges to books—and to the question of who gets to decide what others can read. In 2025, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 5,668 books banned from libraries. Access to an additional 920 books was restricted through measures such as relocation or parental permission requirements. Together, these figures represent the highest number of books censored in a single year and the highest rate of challenges resulting in censorship since ALA began tracking the data in 1990.

Since 1982, librarians, booksellers, publishers and teachershave used the week to defend access to a wide range of ideas and perspectives.

Want to learn more about which books are being challenged and why? Take part in Banned Books Week by exploring challenged titles, visiting our display or picking up a complimentary book.

Ways to participate

• Get a complimentary banned book: Norlin Library, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Explore the banned books display at Norlin throughout October
• See the most frequently challenged books in our online guide

About Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week, sponsored by the Banned Books Coalition, is an annual event that celebrates the freedom to read and challenges censorship. The theme of this year’s event is “Let Books Be — Protect the Freedom to Read.”