Founded in 1982, Banned Books Week is celebrated annually during the last week in September and will be observed from September 26-October 3 in 2009. The event acknowledges Americans' right to read the books of their choice regardless of whether the ideas, language, or images are controversial. This annual observance of banned books is a good opportunity to explore the difference between a book being banned and a book being challenged. Most of the books highlighted during Banned Books Week have been challenged but not banned. During Banned Books Week, many school librarians create displays of books from their own collections that have been challenged and/or banned. How can the school library professional promote the right to read and access information beyond this one week in September? In 2009, those observing Banned Books Week are urged to: (1) Know the First Amendment; (2) Speak your mind; and (3) Read banned books. Celebrating the freedom to read during Banned Books Week is only the beginning. As the primary defenders of intellectual freedom in schools, school librarians must help students recognize and learn to protect their precious right to read throughout the school year.