Banned Books Week: Freed Between the Lines

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. The theme of this year’s event is Freed Between the Lines. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.