Raise a Glass to the Freedom to Read

Wednesday, October 7 is the Redwood City Library Foundation's5th Annual Upscale Pub Crawl fundraiser recognizing Banned Books Week . Attendees visit participating downtown establishments and enjoy discounted drinks and small bites. Each location features a banned book with volunteers to provide more information. Proceeds support important initiatives at Redwood City Public Library.

Since 1982, Banned Books Week has celebrated the freedom to read, resisting efforts to remove or restrict books from schools and libraries. Books have been challenged for decades, but the number has risen dramatically in recent years. Between 2001 and 2020, the average annual number of titles challenged was 273. According to the American Library Association, 4,235 unique book titles were challenged in 2025, nearly matching the record-breaking number in 2023.

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Banned Books Week theme this year is "Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read." Many of the books being challenged are award-winning works that explore history, race, identity, mental health, or LGBTQ+ experience. When a book is censored, a voice is silenced and a community is deprived of the opportunity to learn a different perspective.

Progress is mixed:

• Twelve states, including California, have enacted Right to Read legislation to protect access to library materials and shield librarians from retaliation for maintaining diverse collections.
• Conversely, an Arkansas court just upheld a law that threatens librarians and book sellers by making "furnishing a harmful item to a minor" a punishable offense, without clearly defining "harmful items."

One way to help preserve the freedom to read is by reading, borrowing, or purchasing books that have been challenged to demonstrate support for authors, illustrators, and publishers whose work has come under attack. In 2025 alone, an estimated 2,308 authors, 243 illustrators, and 38 translators had works affected by book challenges.

Another way is to support your local library at events such as the Redwood City Library Foundation's Pub Crawl. Enjoy a fun evening with like-minded book lovers celebrating the freedom to read, while supporting local businesses.

Tickets and more information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988047790458?aff=oddtdtcreator