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Banned Books and Censorship

Censorship

Freedom of Expression

The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

Is It a Challenge or a Ban?

According to the American Library Association:
  • Book Challenge: an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group
  • Book Ban: the removal of those materials

Who is Challenging Materials?

  • 30% Parents
  • 28% Patrons
  • 17% Political & religious groups = 75% of challenges
  • The rest: Boards/administrations 15%, Librarians/teachers 3%, Elected officials 3%, Other 4%

Where Are Materials Challenged?

  • 48% Public libraries
  • 41% School libraries = 89%
  • The rest: Schools 10%, Higher education libraries and other institutions 1%

(Source: ALA's The State of America's Libraries 2023)

Why Are Materials Challenged?

  • Claims of sexually explicit content (example: Drama by Raina Telgemeier)
  • Profanity (example: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger)
  • Unsuited for age group (example: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)
  • LGBTQIA+ persons (example: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe)
  • Black, Indigenous People of Color: Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis
  • Discussions of race or racism (example: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds)
  • Teaching Critical Race Theory (example: The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones)
  • Drug use (example: Crank by Ellen Hopkins)
  • Religious viewpoints (example: the Bible)
  • Witchcraft or occultism (example: the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
  • Violent content (example: The Hate U Give by Angie Tomas)
  • Graphic images (example: Maus by Art Spiegelman)

(Source: ALA's Top Ten Most Challenged Book List)