Banned Books Week, Lawmakers and Libraries Push Reading Rights

booksOct 8, 202634376

Banned Books Week amplified after reports of record challenges to titles in 2025, 2026, prompting Representative Jamie Raskin and Senator Brian Schatz to introduce a congressional resolution defending the freedom to read. EveryLibrary issued a statement endorsing the Raskin/Schatz resolution and warned of an alarming escalation in efforts to remove books, restrict access to information, and interfere with the professional judgment of librarians and educators. EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka said government officials should not decide which ideas Americans can encounter and applauded lawmakers for linking these fights to First Amendment protections. Coverage of contested lists highlighted that some bans even target books about censorship and intellectual freedom, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s list including such works. A librarian quoted in reporting criticized banning books that address campus sexual violence, saying bans should not be attempted until broader problems are solved. EveryLibrary urged members of Congress to reject government censorship, defend access in libraries and schools, and preserve institutions where people can explore ideas and history.

Banned Books Week

@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social

When books are banned, students are harmed. Students are paying attention and speaking out! Youth Honorary Chairs Marshall Romero and Azeemah Sadiq will join other youth advocates to talk about fighting book bans. 10/8, 7pmET. Join us! bit.ly/whose-story #BannedBooksWeek #LetBooksBe

Whose Stories Belong? A Youth-Led Conversation on the Freedom to Read. With Marshall Romero and Azeemah Sadiq. 10/8/26, 7pm ET Register: bit.ly/whose-story Banned Books Week

7321h ago

Sara Georgini

@sarageorgini.bsky.social

Love this, from my hometown library. Please share! 🗃️ 📚 🗽 #BannedBooksWeek www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned

3917h ago

Maggie Tokuda-Hall

@maggietokudahall.bsky.social

Becky and Carolyn do great work in one of the least hospitable states to fight against book bans within, so if you want to donate somewhere meaningful and grassroots this #BannedBooksWeek TX FReadom Fighters are a great choice!

4321h ago

Queens Public Library

@qplnyc.bsky.social

Welcome to today's Banned Book Spotlight! QPL Children's Librarian Leah recommends "Julián Is a Mermaid" by Jessica Love. It's #BannedBooksWeek! Learn how we're celebrating the #FreedomToRead, this week and all month long. queenslibrary.org/spotlight/fr...

2418h ago

East Lansing Public Library

@elplibrary.bsky.social

Celebrate #BannedBooksWeek with cool art! Stop by the library to pick up this AMAZING free sticker designed by local artist Ayley S., and show your support for the freedom to read! Stickers available while supplies last.

A digitally illustrated sticker that says "I read banned books." Next to the text is a possum wearing sunglasses, seated on an open book, with a 90s/vaporwave/arcade carpet style background.

1521h ago

PEN America

@penamerica.bsky.social

Manga, the Hugely Popular Graphic Novels That Originated in Japan, Targeted In Growing Number of Book Bans in the U.S. https://pen.org/banned-manga/ #BannedBooks #BannedBooksWeek

143h ago

Tom Guzzio

@tomguzzio.bsky.social

A little late, but here’s a friendly reminder to LET BOOKS BE. Happy #BannedBooksWeek to all who celebrate free speech.

1617h ago

Suomen kirjastoseura/Finnish Library Association

@kirjastoseura.bsky.social

Suomen PEN ja Kirjastoseura järjestävät tänä vuonna yhteistyössä Kiellettyjen kirjojen viikon. Lue aiheesta lisää täältä: suomenkirjastoseura.fi/kiellettyjen... #sananvapaus #sensuuri #kielletytkirjat #bannedbooksweek

1211h ago

The Daily Edge

@thedailyedge.bsky.social

"To ban a book in Florida, you don't have to read it. You don't even have to know who wrote it. But if you're an elementary school child, you now have to file a request. And pass a test. To read a poem." unprecedented.ghost.io/archive/the-... #BannedBooksWeek #TBT

56h ago

Cold As Ice Cream

@k80did2.bsky.social

Out of the 3743 unique titles banned 7/1/24 – 6/30/25, the top 3 most common topics were non-sexual violence, death and grief, and empowerment and self-esteem. Resist. Read a banned book. #BannedBooksWeek Oct 4-10, 2026 #LibrariesforAll

616h ago

VT Dead

@dead2thecore.bsky.social

Middle school teacher here. Among the books I teach are several that have been banned, including: 1. The Crucible 2. The Giver 3. Lord of the Flies 4. Fahrenheit 451 5. Animal Farm 6. Night #BannedBooksWeek

1322h ago

Jim2

Too much independent thought in those!

A.Minor2

Actually hated Lord of the Flies when forced to read it for school. I was more of a Lord of the Rings type. BUT. That's why I needed to read it. 😜

Skaredycat-Skald 😱🎃🔪🐈‍⬛1

I talked about Fahrenheit 451 since day one and I’ve just finished writing up about Animal Farm.

The Dallas Morning News

@dallasnews.com

Texas districts banned more books in public schools than any other state in the nation — and leaders are increasingly using artificial intelligence to decide what to ban, according to PEN America. bit.ly/4dYiLQa