When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition will be open from June 25, 2026, in Erlangen and will run until July 14, 2026, according to the blog of the city library.

Where can the exhibition be seen?

At the City Library Erlangen in the citizens' hall of Palais Stutterheim at Marktplatz 1 in 91054 Erlangen.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes, Palais Stutterheim is accessible through the main street entrance with the elevator.

Is there an entrance fee for the visit?

The City Library Erlangen can be used for free on-site. Therefore, it is assumed that the visit to this exhibition is also free.

Are there further information about the exhibition on-site?

Yes, the official Erlangen City Library and its blog provide background, context, and supplementary information about the exhibition.

A Quiet Culture War over Books, Freedom, and Young Readers in Erlangen

Name: Banned Books: Culture War over Children's and Young Adult Books in the USA
Start: 2026-06-25T12:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-07-14T20:00:00+02:00
Location: Bürgersaal

When Books Come Under Pressure: Banned Books in Erlangen

The Banned Books exhibition at the Erlangen City Library focuses on one of the most pressing culture wars of our time: the question of which children’s and young adult books in the USA are still accessible – and which are disappearing from school libraries. The exhibition by Jakob Brandt combines political sharpness with literary precision and highlights how closely book censorship, freedom of expression, and the promotion of reading are intertwined. ([blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de](https://blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de/banned-books-kulturkampf-um-kinder-und-jugendbuecher-in-den-usa/))

A Topic That Extends Far Beyond America

Since 2021, tens of thousands of books have been removed from schools and libraries in the USA or had their access restricted. Works dealing with racism, queer identity, social inequality, or marginalized perspectives have been particularly affected. This is where the exhibition comes into play: it not only showcases banned titles but also the political grammar behind the bans. ([blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de](https://blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de/banned-books-kulturkampf-um-kinder-und-jugendbuecher-in-den-usa/))

Reading as a Democratic Practice

The presentation in Erlangen does not view literature as decorative cultural property, but as a space for confrontation. Walking through the exhibition, visitors experience a concentrated reading atmosphere without a reading in the strict sense: instead of voices and stages, posters, images, and contexts speak. This creates an intense literary experience that sharpens the perspective on young adult literature, cultural history, and censorship. ([blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de](https://blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de/banned-books-kulturkampf-um-kinder-und-jugendbuecher-in-den-usa/))

Why This Exhibition Is Particularly Movable

One example from the exhibition makes the absurdity of book bans particularly tangible: even the children’s book series Captain Underpants is among the most frequently challenged titles in the USA. The exhibition thus demonstrates how quickly the accusation of inappropriateness can escalate into a culture war. At the same time, it points to counter-movements like Banned Books Week and digital access to banned titles. ([blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de](https://blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de/banned-books-kulturkampf-um-kinder-und-jugendbuecher-in-den-usa/))

The Venue: City Library Erlangen in Palais Stutterheim

The City Library Erlangen is located in Palais Stutterheim at Marktplatz 1. The building is accessible via the main street entrance with an elevator; the historic citizens' hall on the 2nd floor provides a special, quiet, and simultaneously representative atmosphere for the exhibition. The library can be used for free on-site by all people. ([traukalender.erlangen.de](https://traukalender.erlangen.de/de/Buergerpalais-Stutterheim-57.html?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion: An Exhibition for Everyone Who Takes Literature Seriously

Banned Books is more than a poster exhibition. It is a politically and culturally precise look at the freedom to read, at children’s literature as a contentious issue, and at how democracies deal with uncomfortable stories. Anyone who wants to not just consume literature but understand it should experience this exhibition live. ([blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de](https://blog.stadtbibliothek-erlangen.de/banned-books-kulturkampf-um-kinder-und-jugendbuecher-in-den-usa/))