LibGuides: Banned Books Week: Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week | September 23th - 28th

University Libraries at The University of Akron is celebrating Banned Books Week by highlighting select print books and eBooks from our collections. If you're on campus during September please stop by and visit our display at Bierce Library.

Image from American Library Association

Banned and Challenged Books FAQs & Facts

What is the difference between a challenge or banning?
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.

Why are books challenged?
Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. Read more

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books based on reports from the field and media coverage. From ALA
Censorship by the Numbers ALA analyzes censorship data and compiles lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. Explore challenges of past years with our collection of Field Reports, as well as lists of the most challenged books of the last three decades. Censorship data from 2023 paints a vivid picture of attempts to ban or restrict library books and resources across the United States. We break down censorship by the numbers. From ALA
100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 2000-2009 ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. This list includes the 100 most frequently challenged books of the decade 2000-2009. From ALA
100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 2010-2019 ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. This list includes the 100 most frequently challenged books of the decade 2010-2019. From ALA
100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990-1999 ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. This list includes the 100 most frequently challenged books of the decade 1990–1999. From ALA

FAQs from ALA Banned Books FAQ
Facts from ALA Banned and Challenged Books

Banned Books Week

Faculty Librarian

Collections and Content Strategies Librarian

Banned Books Week | September 23th - 28th

Banned and Challenged Books FAQs & Facts

Why are books challenged?
Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. Read more

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week | September 23th - 28th

Banned and Challenged Books FAQs & Facts

Why are books challenged? Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. Read more

Why are books challenged?
Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. Read more