Banned book pub crawl returns to Redwood City

For Redwood City Public Library Director Derek Wolfgram, the annual event is mostly fun, but it is critical as well.

“It sounds really lofty or pretentious, but this is about democracy,” Wolfgram said. “Something like a Banned Books Pub Crawl couldn’t happen in a lot of countries. This is uniquely American, I think that’s very cool.” 

Since 2021, the American Library Association has seen a sharp spike in censorship attempts in libraries throughout the nation. In 2024, there were attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles throughout the nation, compared to the average of 273 unique titles challenged annually between 2001 and 2020, according to the ALA. 

The majority of book censorship attempts are organized movements — groups and government entities make 72% of demands to censor books, according to the ALA — which is against what librarians are fighting. 

Although censorship and book challenges are not new, Mike Maguire, Redwood City Library Foundation board member, said the environment in and around libraries throughout the nation is more charged than ever. 

“The thing we all have to be concerned about is this notion that a group wants to decide what knowledge people should have access to,” Maguire said. “Anybody who grew up around here would say that is not the correct approach.” 

The bottom line of public libraries is to provide the public open access to all of its resources. For Wolfgram, that means “we have something for everyone” and “we also have something to offend everyone.” 

“There are books in our collection that I personally find offensive, and I think that’s great,” Wolfgram said. “Libraries exist to provide all those perspectives and the opportunity to learn about something different from your experience.” 

Although the Redwood City Public Library receives very few book challenges compared to national average numbers, when it does, Wolfgram said he tries to engage in a conversation with those that have concerns, and offer other remedies. 

“The thing that I always try to emphasize is, rather than taking an idea away so that everybody else doesn’t have access, tell me what you’d like us to add to our collection,” Wolfgram said. 

Since the threat against books and libraries has become a politicized and organized effort by certain groups of people, the Redwood City Public Library has in place a policy that only allows a local resident to challenge a book in their collection. 

“That’s who we’re here to serve, that’s who we’re trying to provide information for,” Wolfgram said. “Because somebody is on a national campaign to remove a book, that’s not important to us.” 

Standards for the books in the library’s collection also play a role. While every and all opinions and perspectives are welcomed to be reflected in book titles, the library will not approve books that are “blatantly false,” Wolfgram said. 

The pub crawl will be held from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Participants will start at the Redwood City Public Library downtown location and stroll through downtown at 16 different participating establishments. Each pub will feature a banned book, information on censorship and a foundation volunteer to answer questions. 

Tickets are $50 to participate. This includes discounted drinks and small bite snacks at participating establishments downtown. 

“If you believe in open access to information, this is one of the easiest and more pleasant ways one can support that,” Maguire said.