Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The Loutit District Library celebrates the right to read every year, coinciding with the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week (October 5—11, 2025). The theme for Banned Books Week 2025 is “Censorship is so 1984 — Read for Your Rights”. Discover new perspectives and celebrate the freedom to read by exploring books that have been challenged or banned throughout the years.
During the month of October, Loutit District Library’s upper level features an educational exhibit on the right to read, including a timeline of censorship and books that have been frequently challenged or banned around the world. Browse the collection to discover if one of your favorites has made the list! Take part in the interactive banned book guessing game for a chance to win gift cards to local bookstore, The Bookman!
This exhibit is carefully curated for the community by their staff and updated yearly.
What is a ban? What is a challenge? Books are being banned and challenged every day. According to definitions by the American Library Association, a challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.
You may view Loutit District Library’s collection development policy here to learn how we decide which materials to purchase.
Why focus on banned books? Sharing stories that are important to us means sharing a part of ourselves. We believe books reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on
the other hand, creates barriers. Banned Books Week is both a reminder of the unifying power of stories and the divisiveness of censorship and a call to action for readers nationwide to push back against censorship attempts in their communities.
Read books that have been historically banned or challenged!
Not sure what to read? Try one of the books on our physical displays at the library or visit loutitlibrary.org/righttoread for curated lists for all ages!
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