Freedom to Read
At LA County Library, we believe that reading is a fundamental right that empowers individuals, fosters understanding, and opens doors to countless opportunities.
Why the Freedom to Read Matters
Across the country, libraries continue to face attempts to remove or restrict access to books, displays, programs, and other resources. In 2025, the American Library Association documented challenges against 4,235 unique titles and 487 attempts to censor books at libraries, schools, and universities.
LA County Library is committed to providing access to a broad range of books, information, ideas, and perspectives so customers can discover, learn, and make their own reading choices.
How You Can Participate
This year, we’re celebrating your freedom to read with a range of engaging programs and activities in October, including during Banned Books Week (October 4 – 10).
Read a book from our “Top Banned Titles” booklist.
From October 1 to October 31, teens ages 13-17 can participate in our Books Unbanned Reading Challenge to celebrate your freedom to read! Log a book and complete a suggested activity and be entered in an opportunity drawing to win a prize.
Take the Teen Reading Challenge!
Teens ages 13 – 18, October 1 – October 31, join the Books Unbanned Reading Challenge to celebrate your freedom to read! Log a book and complete 2 suggested activities to finish the challenge and be entered in an opportunity drawing to win a prize.
Books Unbanned Digital Card
Your freedom to read is a fundamental right. To help support teenagers ages 13-18 years old in California, LA County Library’s Books Unbanned initiative offers free and unrestricted access to the Library’s entire digital eBook and audiobook collection on Libby, by OverDrive, which includes many frequently-banned titles. The Books Unbanned card allows 5 check outs at a time and is valid for one year.
Educational Resources
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week (October 4 – 10, 2026) celebrates the freedom to read, which spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
For more than 40 years, the annual event has brought together the entire book community—librarians, teachers, booksellers, publishers, writers, journalists, and readers of all types—in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular!
American Library Association
ALA’s mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
Anti-Censorship Resources
The National Coalition Against Censorship tracks book challenges in schools and libraries, as well as censorship of art, journalism, and other types of student expression in schools.
PEN America champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Their mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
PEN America Report – Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis
Let Freedom Read Day
On October 10, 2026, everyone can take at least one action to help defend books from censorship and to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers, and booksellers who make them available!
Censorship is a national problem that happens at the local level. That means elections matter! The right to read — and democracy — depend on us. Show us how you’re taking action on social media by using the hashtags #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek!
Recorded Library Programs Featuring Diverse Voices
Funded By
Inspired to support the incredible work done at LA County Library? Make a difference in your community and support services and programs that help residents thrive by making a charitable gift through LA County Library Foundation.
