On this episode of The Project Censored Show, it’s the 44th annual Banned Books Week. This week celebrates the right to read and protecting your right to know. This year’s theme is “Let Books Be, Protect The Right To Read.” This past year, the American Library Association, a co-sponsor of Banned Books Week, tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged – in 2025 alone. That’s the second highest ever documented, following the highest ever in 2023. Co-host Mickey Huff speaks with President of the American Library Association Dr. Maria McCauley on the history of Banned Books Week, and how that history materializes in the challenges to libraries and books today.
Notes:
Dr. Maria McCauley is a transformational leader committed to expanding what communities can achieve through equitable access to information, learning opportunities, and human connection. She is Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge, and is elected ALA (American Library Association) 2026-2027 President.
This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kiley Eriksen.