Fitchburg State Library

10/09/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗬?

Today we are focusing on what types of books are targeted and why.

PEN America and the American Library Association both track data on book challenges and bans.

Data from both organizations show that challenges continue to focus on books that feature issues around race and racism, LGBTQ+ people or characters, people or characters of color, and s*x.

Young Adult (YA) fiction continues to be a highly targeted area, but there is an increase in non-fiction titles as well. PEN America also noted that over the past year there was an increase in banned titles that had themes of empowerment and self-esteem.

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10/08/2026

Exercise YOUR right to read! Join us between 2-4pm for snacks and banned books!

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Next week, get ready for an exciting exploration of majors and minors designed to spark your passions and shape your future! 💚💛

CSA: Major and Minor Exploration Fair is on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 11:30am - 1:30pm at Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library.

Whether you're a first-year student eager to choose your academic path or a seasoned undergraduate looking to maximize your academic experience, this fair is your gateway to possibilities.

10/08/2026

𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥: 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗦. 𝟭𝟬/𝟴

Banned Book Week Read-In
Thursday, 10/8, 2-4PM
Library, back of 1st floor

𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙! Bring a book or borrow one of ours!
*Open to all * Refreshments will be served*
Learn more at http://tiny.cc/BBW2026ReadIn

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10/08/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦: 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦?

We continue to highlight the state of book banning in the US with data from the American Library Association on WHO is challenging books in schools and libraries.

In the past year nearly 92% of all challenges were initiated by either political pressure groups like Moms for Liberty or elected officials, up from 72% in 2024.

Individual parents or patrons initiate less than 3% to 16% , proving that coordinated political and organizational pressure fuels the vast majority of removals.

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10/07/2026

LIBRARY HOURS UPDATE: Indigenous Peoples' Day Holiday

The Library will be OPEN the following days for shortened hours due to observance of the Indigenous Peoples' Day holiday on Monday, October 12th:

-Sunday, October 11th: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
-Monday, October 12th: 1:00 PM - 11:30 PM

The Library will resume normal semester hours on Tuesday, October 13th at 7:45 AM. Check the Library's hours anytime by going to tiny.cc/LibraryHours

10/07/2026

𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥: 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗-𝗜𝗡
WHEN: Thursday, 10/8, 2-4
WHERE: Library, 1st floor

Join us in exercising the right to read! Celebrate Banned Books Week by joining us for a Read-In! Bring your favorite book, one you’re working on, or discover something new on our shelves.

𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆. 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅.

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10/07/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦

Over the course of this Banned Book Week, we are sharing data on the state of book banning in the US tracked by the American Library Association.

ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 𝟰,𝟮𝟯𝟱 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 challenged in 2025, the second highest ever documented by ALA.

Those challenges and bans occurred across the country, including some here in MA, with 21 attempts to restrict access to 229 titles in 2025.

Challenges and bans are most likely to target schools (37%) and public libraries (51%).

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