WASHINGTON — This week marks Banned Books Week, an annual celebration of literature that has drawn the ire of governments around the world.

The American Library Association puts on the weeklong event every year to highlight the importance of protecting the right to read freely, no matter what the content is.

In 2025, Banned Books Week runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, culminating in "Let Freedom Read Day" on Saturday. On that day, organizers are asking book lovers to contact local officials about book bans in their area.

They're also encouraging people to use that Saturday to visit a library or bookstore to grab a banned book.

A count by the association found that there were 821 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2024, leading to 2,452 books banned across the U.S.

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