Gutenberg Cafe: Let Books Be

About this event

West End Meeting Room A. In September, browse a display of titles that have been banned from libraries or challenged in the past ten years. Choose a book to read and join the discussion on October 6, 2026 during Banned Books Week. We'll share brief reviews of our titles and thoughts on why the books were disputed. This will also be an open forum for reflections on the titles, thoughts on why the book was challenged, and a discussion of freedom of information and libraries. Nearly 92% of 2025 book challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials, and decision makers, and 5,668 titles were banned from libraries (66% of the total challenged), with access to an additional 920 books restricted. This is both the highest number of titles censored in one year and the highest rate of challenges resulting in censorship since ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom began compiling censorship data in 1990. Gutenberg Café is a reference to Gutenberg and his first movable type printing press. The name is often associated with the printed word. Gutenberg Cafe is an open forum for discussion in a safe space, on the first Tuesday of each month, at the West End Branch Library. All are welcome to attend. Coffee and tea provided.