Beginning October 5, PLYMC joins libraries across the country in recognizing Banned Books Week 2025, a nationwide celebration of the freedom to read.
Banned Books Week highlights the value of open access to books and ideas, reminding us that everyone should have the opportunity to explore information freely. While some books have been challenged or restricted in communities across the country, PLYMC remains committed to ensuring that readers of all ages can discover materials that inspire and inform our community.
“The freedom to read is about more than access to books. It is about access to ideas,” said Aimee Fifarek, PLYMC Director and CEO. “When people can read freely, they gain the tools to understand others and to better understand the world they live in. That is the most important part of what libraries are about.”
We invite readers of all ages to visit the library, read freely, and join us in celebrating the freedom to read. When we protect the right to read, we protect the right to learn and grow as a community together.
Follow PLYMC on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok) and check www.libraryvisit.org for updates.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) has served the Mahoning Valley since 1880 when the Youngstown Library Association was officially created. With 14 branches across Mahoning County, including Main Library in downtown Youngstown, PLYMC is well known for its signature services and programs like Summer Discovery and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. PLYMC serves our communities by preparing children for kindergarten, promoting early literacy, assisting job seekers, connecting Valley residents to technology, and providing resources for small businesses.