Banned Books Week takes place 4–10 October 2026.
Banned Books Week UK is an annual celebration of the right to read freely in the UK and beyond. To mark the occasion, the Library is hosting a display of previously banned books, free screenings of Storyville: The Librarians, and talks by author and Royal Literary Fund Fellow Brian Conaghan, whose experiences include having two of his own books banned.
Storyville: The Librarians
This compelling documentary explores the impact of book bans and censorship, and the role librarians play in defending our freedom to read.
We are hosting three free screenings of The Librarians in the Library lecture theatre.
The film lasts 90 minutes and will be shown in two parts, with multiple screening opportunities across the week. You can attend both parts on the same day or spread them over different days, depending on your availability. Informal discussion and Q&A sessions will follow each screening.
Author and Royal Literary Fund Fellow Brian Conaghan will join us for the Wednesday session.
Book to join us on:
Watch The Librarians at home
Staff and students who are physically located in the UK can also use their University credentials to log in and watch The Librarians on Box of Broadcasts.
Browse and borrow from our Banned Books display
We have set up a display of banned books in the L3 entrance area of the Library. All staff and students are welcome to browse and borrow from this display. You may have read a banned book already, without even realising! Share your thoughts about banned books and what you have read on our whiteboard.