Banned Books Week 2025
It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers. — Judy Blume
Every year, libraries across the country mark Banned Books Week (Oct 5–11), an initiative from the American Library Association and the Banned Books Week Coalition. The week is designed to highlight some of the important books that have faced bans/challenges and takes a stand for Intellectual Freedom.
The 2020s have seen a significant increase in book challenges (the initial attempt to ban a book) as groups organize on a national level to remove books from schools and public libraries. Oftentimes, books that face challenges are historically and artistically important. Removing free access to such titles means only those with the means to afford buying books can read them. Next time you check out books from The City Library, take a look at the receipt to see how much money you’ve saved by using the Library.
Libraries exist to provide free and open access to books, information, the internet, and other resources. One of the founding principles of Libraries is upholding your right to Intellectual Freedom. In its simplest form, Intellectual Freedom is the right to choose what you want to read — and not have others make that choice for you. Book challenges and bans take away that right, allowing others to make decisions for what is available for you and your family to read. Challenges silence marginalized voices, and limit available perspectives.
The City Library has specialized staff members who select which books are included in the collection and made available to the public. The selection process is based on a codified set of standards and criteria. Overall, The City Library’s collection includes books that cover the entire spectrum of political thought, religion, lifestyle, and other ideas. The City Library believes an effective library collection should have books that cover many sides of any argument, books that mirror your experiences (whoever you may be), and books that open windows into others’ lives and experiences different from your own.
Last year, the Salt Lake Tribune published an op-ed by Salt Lake City Public Library CEO Noah Baskett regarding Banned Books Week and the freedom to read. In it, Noah affirms our commitment to intellectual freedom and that Libraries are trusted places where everyone is welcome and invited, and where everyone belongs. Read it here.
