Dear Readers,
On March 30, 2025, under orders from the Department of Defense, the United States Naval Academy removed 381 books from the shelves of the Academy’s Nimitz Library.
Operation Caged Bird emerged as a grassroots response—raising awareness and advocating against this act of censorship. Through public discussions and advocacy, we’ve ensured that these books remain accessible to the USNA community.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported that movement—your voices sparked essential conversations and brought attention to this critical issue.
As we move forward under the banner of Don’t Give Up the Book, we carry that momentum with us, continuing our commitment to the freedom to read by getting books into the hands of midshipmen and others in the Naval Academy community—whether it’s a title that was removed or one that may not be acquired in the future.
We invite you to explore the full list of removed titles, learn more about what’s happening, and discover how we can support you—or how you can help support others.
Because books belong in hands, not cages.
— Old Fox Books & Coffeehouse
Wondering what's been pulled from the shelves?
News to Note
Documents to Read
Are You Looking for a Removed Book?
If you’re a midshipman or member of the USNA community searching for a book that was removed from the Naval Academy—or one that may not be acquired by the library in the future—we’re here to help. If we have it in stock, it’s yours free of charge. If not, we’ll gladly order a copy for you. Just reach out and let us know what you’re looking for.
Want to help? We also welcome anyone interested in supporting this effort. Whether you’d like to donate a book, share your story, or get involved in other ways, we’d be glad to hear from you.