Broward libraries celebrating the freedom to read during Banned Books Week
As Florida schools continue to adjust to new state guidelines on classroom reading materials, Broward County libraries are observing Banned Book Week with over 100 programs across its 36 branches.
The week-long celebration, which started Oct. 5, includes reading challenges, film screenings and community discussions.
Banned Books Week, hosted annually by the American Library Association, aims to “bring together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read,” according to the ALA website.
For context
In August 2024, Broward school administrators distributed a list of 55 books to be removed from school libraries in compliance with a Florida Board of Education directive.
The list includes frequently challenged titles such as “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire, “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson, and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson.
The removals follow Florida House Bill 1069, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in July 2023. The law requires schools to remove any book formally challenged by parents or community members on grounds of obscenity or sexual context until a review process and public hearing are completed.
In August 2025, U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza ruled parts of the law unconstitutional, deeming the language too vague.
Local response
Broward County libraries established book sanctuaries in April 2023. These spaces are part of a national network of more than 2,000 libraries that maintain collections of banned or challenged books.
Adrienne Chadwick, Broward County Library’s regional manager of community engagement, told the Pembroke Pines News that the weeklong events and programs are designed to emphasize the library’s role as a space for learning.
“I hope that residents can feel a sense of community and a sense of pride and know that libraries are a place for them to gather and to share stories and to learn and to use resources as a community,” she said.
According to PEN America, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and celebrate free expression, literature and human rights, in the 2024-2025 school year, there were 6,870 instances of book bans affecting nearly 4,000 titles.
PEN reported that for the third year straight, Florida was the No. 1 state for book bans, with 2,304, followed by Texas with 1,781 and Tennessee with 1,622.
Chadwick noted that some residents have expressed concern or confusion about the effect the book bans are having on their public libraries.
“Residents don’t realize that it’s actually school libraries that are banning the books,” she said. “I do think that it’s important for us to talk about the advocacy in our communities and to figure out ways that we can advocate and fight for the right to read.”
This year’s Banned Books Week theme, developed by PEN, is “Censorship: That’s so 1984. Read for Your Rights.”
Chadwick said the theme sparked interest among visitors.
“I think that’s a very interesting campaign,” she said. “It’s meaningful for the public and brings attention to conversations about access to information and intellectual freedom.”
Looking ahead
Although Banned Books Week officially ends Oct. 11, Broward County libraries will host related events throughout the month.
The celebrations conclude Oct. 28 at the Davie/Cooper City Branch, where participants who complete the Banned Book Challenge — reading five banned or challenged books — will be eligible for raffle prizes. The event is scheduled for 2-3 p.m.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM.
