Episode 173: Why Ban This? A Week for Banned Books

The first week of October is Banned Books Week in the United States and our guest on this episode of the podcast is Kate Capshaw, a professor of English and social and critical inquiry at UConn. The American Library Association tracks book banning and reports that 4,235 titles were challenged in 2025 and 92 percent of those challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials, and decision makers. Capshaw led a team for the past 18 months that surveyed teachers and librarians and how they navigate the subject of censorship and book banning. They then developed a toolkit for educators to use that includes sample policies and tips on how to talk to parents who voice concerns.