by the Education Team's Banned Books Week Team
Banned Books Week runs October 4–10, 2026, and the Education Team has put together a practical toolkit to help your club take part, whether you have a full committee or one enthusiastic reader.
Why does this matter to FAWCO? As a non-partisan organization, we believe education is a fundamental human right, and access to books that reflect diverse voices and experiences is central to it. When books are removed from shelves, the most marginalized voices often disappear first. And this is not only a US story. Many of us have lived in several countries and know that what is acceptable reading in one place may be banned in another.
The toolkit is designed to be used, not just read. Inside you will find:
- A possible action plan to turn good intentions into one concrete next step for your club;
- Programming ideas, from read-ins and book club discussions to family story hours and library partnerships;
- Guidance on hosting an event, including a reminder to check local rules and safeguarding requirements where your club meets;
- Trivia questions, with answers, ready to drop into a meeting or newsletter.
- Helpful facts, including the American Library Association's most challenged books of 2025 and a surprising fact from the home of each of FAWCO's 59 member clubs;
- Resources to share with adults, parents and caregivers;
- Ready-made social media posts and hashtags for each stage of the week;
- Articles by FAWCO members on book banning in the UK, the US and beyond.
Every club's context is different, so please adapt these materials to your community.
Join us for the Virtual Pub Quiz. On Friday, October 9 at 7pm CEST, test your banned-books knowledge alongside members from across the FAWCO world. The winner earns an official certificate of banned-books brilliance. All FAWCO members are welcome, and please register in advance.
Access the toolkit here.
We would love to hear what your club does. Share your photos and outcomes with the Education Team, and tag your posts #FAWCOBannedBooksWeek2026.
A book removed from a shelf is something someone hoped you would never find. This week, let's go and find them.
