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Banned Books Week

 

Each year, the Banned Books Week Coalition creates a theme for Banned Books Week. 2025's theme "Censorship is so 1984" reflects the parallels between George Orwell's famous dystopian novel and the current political climate. Visit their website to learn more. 

Events

Banned Books Week Calendar

Banned Books Week 2025 calendar of events 

Monday, October 6th, 12:45 - 2:10 PM - Zine Making as Anti-Censorship (Location TBD)

Wednesday, October 8th, 12 - 1 PM - Blackout Poetry Workshop (Library Lounge)

Thursday, October 9th, 11 AM - 12:30 PM - Censorship is so 1984: A Campus Conversation on Banned Books

All month: Unbound Book Club and Banned Books Display

Zine Making as Anti-Censorship

Monday, October 6th

12:45 - 2:10 PM

Location TBD 

Censorship is so 1984: A Campus Conversation on Banned Books

Thursday, October 9th

11 AM - 12:30 PM

City College Cafeteria 

Display & Unbound Book Club

 

The Library is excited to host its first ever Unbound Book Club! This book club is unique in the way it still allows participants to engage with reading and stories, but at their own pace and in their own ways! 

Unbound Book Club ties in specifically to Banned Books week, which highlights stories that have been traditionally challenged or banned in libraries and schools. 

If you'd like to participate in Unbound Book Club, follow these steps: 

  1. Choose a book from our Banned Books Week display and check it out at the Circulation Desk using your student ID 
    • Some books on display are e-books, meaning you can read them on your device. If you need help accessing an e-book, please ask the Information Desk. 
  2. Once you have finished the book, create a book review. Reviews can be in the following formats. 
    • A mini zine. Please see the Zines 101 guide for more information and inspiration. 
    • A social media review (video or text post)
    • A written book report (200-500 words)
  3. Use this form to submit your review
  4. Each submission will be entered to win various prizes such as:
    • SDCC Library swag (notebooks, tote bags, coffee mugs, and more!)
    • $50 and $100 campus bookstore gift cards 
  5. For the full rules and guidelines, please view our submission form.
Submit Book Review

A library display celebrating Banned Books Week features a row of challenged or banned books arranged on top of empty bookshelves. Each book is accented with bright orange and yellow tissue paper resembling flames, and a yellow “Caution” tape runs across the display. A sign at the front reads “Banned Books Display” with a QR code for more information. The display is set in a bright, modern library with windows and study spaces in the background.

For a list of books on the display, view our Banned Books at City College Page

Prompts for getting started on your book review: 

A Book Review is an evaluation of a book that analyzes the form a particular book might take, typically by providing insights into content, writing style, and themes. A writer can develop a perspective on the book's strengths and weaknesses by asking a series of questions and then synthesizing the material into an informative analysis. 

It is ok to like or dislike a book. However, evaluating a book potentially for the purposes of informing oneself or the community requires a bit of skill-building. These skills will help you in all areas of your coursework and further, in lifelong learning as you pursue your personal and professional goals. 

  1. What is the book about? 

  1. What is the author’s voice like? (Detached or personal? In First-person, second-person, or third-person?) 

  1. Were the characters compelling (or not)? Why? 

  1. Choose either the descriptions, dialogue, or the plot and share if you find them compelling (or not). Why? 

  1. Have you ever read a Banned Book? 

  1. Did you do any research into when and why this particular book was banned? 

  1. What is the difference between discomfort and distress?   

  1. What audience do you think the author is writing for? 

  1. Book reviews are often used as evaluative tools to gauge appropriateness or the purpose of a particular book for a particular community. For example, Librarians write book reviews of books they have read for librarians that specialize in a particular collection for their library. Imagine you were writing this book review for a specific audience, please share your thoughts. 

  1. Finally, have you read any other books similar to this one? If so, can you share your perspective on the value of bringing these books into conversation with one another? 

Click through the slides to see data on book bans across the U.S. over the last 10 years. 

text on beige background that reads " ala releases censorship data for 2024. new data ties majority of library censorship to organized campaigns" At the bottom are red and blue stars and the ALA (American Library Association) logo.
A bold graphic with a red and blue background featuring the large number “821” in cream-colored text. Below it reads: “Attempts to censor library books and materials in 2024.” The ALA (American Library Association) logo is at the bottom.
A bold graphic with a red and blue background featuring the large number “2452” in cream-colored text. Below it reads: “Unique titles targeted for censorship in 2024.” The ALA (American Library Association) logo is at the bottom.
A graphic with black and bolded text on a beige background. It states: “New data reported to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books.” Red and blue stars and the ALA logo are at the bottom.
black and red letters on a cream background it reads "who demands book bans in schools and public libraries? 72% pressure groups and government families (including elected officials, board members, and administrators) 16% parents; 12% other (individual library users, teachers, librarians, staff)
A quote on a beige background with blue quotation marks. The text reads: “As the organized attempts to censor materials in libraries persist, we must continue to unite and protect the freedom to read and support our library workers, especially at a time when our nation’s libraries are facing threats to funding and library professionals are facing threats to their livelihood.” —Cindy Hohl, ALA President At the bottom are red and blue stars and the ALA (American Library Association) logo.
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