Monday, 28 September 2026, 18:04
Redwood City is set to celebrate the joy of reading while advocating for literary freedom this fall. The Redwood City Library Foundation is hosting its fifth annual Upscale Pub Crawl on October 7, combining community dining with a mission to protect access to diverse literature.
Last year's event successfully raised $45,000, funding vital programs for the Redwood City Library. This year, organizers aim higher, targeting a $50,000 goal. The crawl begins at the library located at 1044 Middlefield Road, where attendees can pick up their tickets starting one hour before the event officially kicks off. Each ticket grants participants access to discounted drinks and small plates at 16 participating downtown restaurants and businesses. Featured stops include Angelicas, LV Mar, Alhambra, Little Green, Nighthawk Bar, Quinto Sol, Vino Santo, and Sound Union, which will serve as the Banned Books Headquarters with complimentary wine.
In honor of national Banned Books Week, every stop along the route will feature a display of a banned book, information regarding censorship efforts, and a volunteer ready to discuss the importance of unrestricted reading. Foundation members carefully curate a mix of adult and young adult titles known to tackle difficult subjects like mental health, trauma, and social acceptance. Participants receive a stamp on their library card for each stop visited, and special recognition stamps are available for spotting three dedicated regulars who have attended every past crawl. A recent American Library Association report highlighted that 2025 saw the second-highest number of titles ever targeted for challenges, totaling 4,235 books nationwide.
A lot of the books that are banned are about teens that are having trouble, mental problems or trouble being accepted, said event organizer Barbara Neumann. That is kind of how we got into it and why we feel strongly about it.
While other states face intense legislative battles over library collections, California has taken a firm stand to protect intellectual freedom. The state's 2025 Freedom to Read law explicitly prohibits public libraries from banning books or discriminating against materials based on race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status. Despite these protections, California residents remain vigilant, recognizing that defending reading rights locally helps combat censorship trends in neighboring states. For instance, Arkansas recently upheld a law penalizing librarians for distributing books deemed harmful to minors, underscoring the ongoing national debate.
The American Library Association first established Banned Books Week in 1982 to protest a surge in attempts to remove books from schools and libraries. Over the decades, the initiative has grown into a global celebration of the right to seek and share ideas. The Redwood City Library Foundation has evolved its pub crawl concept since its inception, transforming it into a beloved annual tradition that blends civic engagement with local hospitality.
The Upscale Pub Crawl offers a unique opportunity for residents to support their local library while championing the freedom to read. Early bird tickets priced at $50 are available until September, with doors opening at the library for check-in one hour prior to the crawl. Attendees must be 21 years or older to participate. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit the official Redwood City Library Foundation channels.
