Banned Books Week 2026 to advocate for reading rights

Banned Books Week is scheduled to take place from October 4 to 10, 2026, as organizations advocate for the right to read. The Banned Books Week Coalition, which includes over 20 organizations and support from Penguin Random House, is coordinating various in-person and virtual events featuring authors, educators, and activists.

To mark the American Library Association’s 150th anniversary on October 6, the association will publish a list of the 150 most contested books from the period of 1990 to 2025. According to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, 4,235 unique titles were contested in 2025, representing the second-highest total on record.

The week will culminate on October 10 with ‘Let Freedom Read Day,’ an annual campaign focused on legislative action. Other initiatives include reading gatherings organized by the National Coalition Against Censorship and advocacy efforts through platforms like ‘No Book Bans’ to encourage contact with representatives.