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Banned Books Week 2025
Reading lists
Picture Books for Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week 2025 - Adult List
Top 10 Banned Books of 2024
Picture Books for Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week 2025 - Adult List
Top 10 Banned Books of 2024
Banned Books Week
Stop by any one of our locations, opens a new window to pick up a Banned Book Week Zine, bookmark and various stickers or buttons.Â
The American Library Association documented 821 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2024. The most common reasons for challenges were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and dealing with topics of race, racism, inclusivity, equity, and social justice. Of the 2,452 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2024, here are the top 10 most frequently targeted.
Stay informed.
If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials by contacting the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). Stay updated about intellectual freedom by signing up for the free Intellectual Freedom News newsletter, or reading the Journal for Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.
Attend an event.
OPL is offering several free events, along side the American Library Association. ALA's events will feature honorary chairs Ava DuVernay and Julia Garnett, as well as many other bestselling authors. See a schedule of nation wide events on the Banned Books Week calendar.
Show support.
Become a member or volunteer at the Friends of the Oakland Public Library to sustain OPL's work. Write a letter to a favorite banned or challenged author. Take some time to thank a banned or challenged author for their words. Author addresses and Twitter handles can be found on ALA's Dear Banned Author page.
Exercise rights.
Exercise your reading rights. Sign up for a library card and check out a banned book. Join an OPL book club to discuss rebellious reads.
Take action.
On Let Freedom Read Day, ALA is asking everyone to get ready to vote for the freedom to read or to take at least one action to help defend books from censorship and to stand up for those who make them available! Tag your actions with #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek!