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:
- Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1-3 p.m. at the Genealogy & Local History Room (giveaway titles include: "Sing a Song, opens a new window," "1984, opens a new window," and "Cemetery Boys, opens a new window")
- Monday, Oct. 6, from 9-11 a.m. at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch (giveaway titles include: "And Tango Makes Three, opens a new window," "New Kid, opens a new window," and "The Awakening, opens a new window")
- Monday, Oct. 6, from 4-6 p.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch (giveaway titles include: "We Are Grateful, opens a new window," "Black Brother, Black Brother, opens a new window," and "Two Boys Kissing, opens a new window")
- Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 9-11 a.m. at Millard Branch (giveaway titles include: "And Tango Makes Three, opens a new window," "Snapdragon, opens a new window," and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, opens a new window")
- Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 1-3 p.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch (giveaway titles include: "Sing a Song, opens a new window," "Between Shades of Gray, opens a new window," and "We Are Totally Normal, opens a new window")
- Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at A.V. Sorensen Branch (giveaway titles include: "Drum Dream Girl, opens a new window," "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, opens a new window," and "Looking for Alaska, opens a new window")
- Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 1-3 p.m. at Willa Cather Branch (giveaway titles include: "The Story of Ruby Bridges, opens a new window," "Stamped (for Kids), opens a new window," and "Ryan and Avery, opens a new window")
- Thursday, Oct. 9, from 9-11 a.m. at South Omaha Library (giveaway titles include: "The Family Book, opens a new window," "Stamped (for Kids), opens a new window," and "Cemetery Boys, opens a new window")
- Thursday, Oct. 9, from 3-5 p.m. at Charles B. Washington Branch (giveaway titles include: "Change Sings, opens a new window," "Drama: A Graphic Novel, opens a new window," and "The Hate U Give, opens a new window")
- Friday, Oct. 10, from 9-11 a.m. at Benson Branch (giveaway titles include: "All Are Welcome, opens a new window," "A Boy Called Bat, opens a new window," and "Ryan and Avery, opens a new window")
- Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 2 p.m. at Saddlebrook Branch (giveaway titles include: "And Tango Makes Three, opens a new window," "Ghost Boys, opens a new window," and "1984, opens a new window")
- Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9-11 a.m. at Florence Branch (giveaway titles include: "Change Sings, opens a new window," "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, opens a new window," and "When You Call My Name, opens a new window")
- Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1-3 p.m. at Downtown Branch (giveaway titles include: "The Family Book, opens a new window," "A Raisin in the Sun, opens a new window," and "Black Like Me, opens a new window")
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:
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
View Full List of Books for Teens
Banned Book Week is October 5-11. Exercise your freedom to read with these frequently banned and challenged children's books
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