A Sioux City college held events in recent days to bring attention to National Banned Books Week
That week runs from October 4-10, and the 2026 theme is, “"Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read."
Western Iowa Tech Community College official Morgan Konz said commemorating the week spurs “conversations on why some books get attention, why some books get banned.”
Konz noted that books with themes of the supernatural, racial issues, and sexuality are often in the conversation for possible bans. She said she had talks on such books with several students every day of the week.
The WITCC library had a display with dozens of banned books examples, and a voting challenge where students could cite books of note. Students on October 12 and 13 will make a final vote on the four books “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Twilight,” “The Hate U Give,” and “The Bluest Eye.”
Konz said WITCC has had National Banned Books Week events for at least three years.
Wayne State College, and Briar Cliff and Morningside universities in the area are believed to not have had National Banned Books Week events. Western Iowa Tech holds the license for Siouxland Public Media.
