Join OPL for Banned Books Week 2025, Oct. 5-11

Each year, OPL joins librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers and readers of all types in recognizing Banned Books Week, a reminder of everyone’s fundamental right to read and access the stories that are important to them. 

Libraries are a cornerstone of intellectual freedom, supporting the right of every individual to choose what they read for themselves and their family. While a person may decide a book isn't for them, they don't have the right to restrict access to that book for others. 

What do we mean by a book ban? A book isn't technically illegal when it is "banned," but rather restricted or removed from a public institution. In the U.S., publishing, selling or owning a book may not be illegal, but the act of removing something from public access is a form of censorship that limits intellectual freedom. 

Libraries exist to provide access to a wide range of information and diverse materials that serve the entire community's interests and education, as detailed in the American Library Association's "Library Bill of Rights." 

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. You can read more online about the history of Banned Books Week, which launched in 1982.

Get Involved: Events and Resources

Come visit The Write Stuff, a local group dedicated to ensuring access to books in schools and public libraries, as they visit OPL branches during the week. They will be giving away books for all ages while supplies last, each stamped with a sticker explaining why it was challenged or targeted for removal.

Dates and locations include:

On Oct. 9, OPL, The Write Stuff and Film Streams are partnering to host a screening of the documentary “The Librarians” at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, followed by a discussion on intellectual freedom and censorship. A limited number of free tickets are available through OPL, or you can purchase a ticket on the Film Streams website.

Read Freely

When a book is banned, we're not just losing paper and ink; we're silencing a lived experience, a culture, and a truth. That's why OPL believes every reader deserves the freedom to decide for themselves.

This October, we challenge you to grab a banned book, peel back the sticker, and see what the fuss is about. Talk about it with your kids, your neighbors, and your book club, and support organizations that defend intellectual freedom.

The freedom to read isn’t just a slogan; it's a responsibility. Keeping it alive requires action from every reader, every parent, and every member of the community. Because reading freely isn’t dangerous—it’s democracy in action.

Explore our booklists highlighting frequently challenged titles:

Omaha Picks: Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is October 5th - 11th. Celebrate your freedom to read with these frequently banned and challenged books.





View Full List of Books for Adults

Omaha Picks: Banned Books Week





View Full List of Books for Teens

Omaha Picks: Banned Books Week - Children's Books

Banned Book Week is October 5-11. Exercise your freedom to read with these frequently banned and challenged children's books





View Full List of Books for Kids

Omaha Picks: Banned Book Week - Birth to 5





View Full List of Picture and Board Books