Banned Books Week 2025: “Censorship is so 1984”

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Today kicks off Banned Books Week, an annual event started more than 40 years ago in response to a sudden surge in book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. 

This year’s theme — “Censorship is so 1984” — draws inspiration from George Orwell’s 1984, a timeless warning about the dangers of censorship. The message is clear: the right to read belongs to everyone.

Why It Matters

Banned Books Week began in 1982, when the number of book challenges sharply increased across the U.S. Since then, libraries, educators, publishers, and readers have joined together to celebrate the freedom to read and to resist efforts to restrict access to diverse stories and ideas.

The American Library Association (ALA) continues to document a rise in book challenges and removals — particularly those targeting materials by or about LGBTQ+ people and people of color. These trends underscore why this week is more relevant than ever.

How You Can Get Involved

Here are a few ways to stand up for the freedom to read:

Books have the power to connect us, challenge us, and expand our understanding of the world. Protecting that freedom ensures everyone has the right to see themselves—and others—reflected in the pages they read.

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