Celebrating Banned Books Week - October 1-7, 2023

Each year, the West Des Moines Public Library celebrates Banned Books Week to honor the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries.  Librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types come together during this week to support the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear from Library Director Darryl Eschete about the significance of Banned Books Week and why we celebrate here at the West Des Moines Public Library. 

For more information, visit the American Library Association's website https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks. 

View our compiled lists of banned and challenged books below, and be sure to stop in to the library to see our celebration around the building. If you tell us the secret message "I READ BANNED BOOKS" at any service desk, you can get an exclusive banned books sticker!