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Censorship & Banned Books

Learn about the who, what, when, where, and why of banned books, censorship, and intellectual freedom.

Who Challenges Books?

While in the past most book challenges came from individuals, a recent trend has shown a growing movement that is attempting to remove materials that do not meet their approval, such as books about race, history, gender identity, sexuality, and reproductive health. The use of book lists compiled by censorship groups means that 90% of attempted book challenges in 2022 targeted more than one title.

According to the American Library Association, the top three initiators of books challenges in 2023 were:

  1. Patrons (28%)
  2. Parents (24%)
  3. Pressure groups (21%)

 

What Books are Challenged?

The vast majority of challenged books are written by and about People of Color, the LGBTQIA+ community, and members of the Black and Indigenous communities. 

A study by PEN America found that books were banned the most for having:

  1. Themes and instances involving violence and physical abuse (44%)
  2. Topics dealing with student health and wellbeing (38%)
  3. Themes about grief and death (30%)
  4. Titles with issues of race and racism and characters of color (30%)
  5. Titles with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes (26%)

Where are Books Challenged?

Book challenges can happen anywhere, but they occur most often in places where children are present, such as public libraries and school libraries. People who seek to ban materials use personal moral and religious beliefs to justify protecting children from books they view as being sexually explicit, using offensive language, or unsuitable to any age group.

According to the American Library Association, in 2023, the most challenges to materials happened at:

  1. Public libraries (54%)
  2. School libraries (39%)
  3. Schools (5%)
  4. University libraries and other public institutions (2%)

Banned Books by the Numbers

In 2023, the ALA documented:

  • 1,247 attempts to censor materials

  • 4,240 unique titles challenged

The number of unique titles challenged is the highest recorded since the American Library Association began collecting data over 20 years ago.

 

There was a 65% increase in the number of unique titles challenged between 2022 and 2023.

While the vast majority of challenges are for books and graphic novels (76%), in 2023 the American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom also tracked challenges for displays (5%), programs (3%), films (2%), and other media such as databases, magazines, online resources, artwork, music, student publications, and more (6%). They also recorded censorship attempts that physically blocked access to materials (4%) and vandalized materials representing marginalized groups (4%), which the ALA termed 'hate crimes.'