Censorship in libraries is on the rise, according to new data released by the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported a total of 695 attempts to censor library materials and services between January 1 and August 31, 2023. This represents a 20 percent increase in challenges to unique titles compared to the same period in 2022. Most of the challenges were targeted at books written by or about individuals from marginalized communities, including people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Of the documented challenges, nearly half occurred in public libraries, a significant increase from the previous year. The rise in censorship attempts can be attributed to a single group or individual seeking the removal or restriction of multiple titles. This is a departure from the past when challenges were primarily focused on a single book.
Deborah Caldwell-Stone, the director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, expressed concern over these attacks on the freedom to read. She emphasized that allowing any individual or group to decide which books can be read or whether libraries should exist undermines our rights and liberties. She also highlighted the shift in focus from school libraries to public libraries, noting that this places politics above the well-being and education of young people.
ALA President Emily Drabinski added that both those seeking books reflecting their lived experiences and librarians aiming to make relevant books accessible are under attack. The ALA’s preliminary data includes several documented cases of censorship, such as a pressure group called Clean Up Samuels demanding the removal of LGBTQIA+ materials from Samuels Public Library in Virginia. In another instance, challenges to books with LGBTQIA+ representation in Clinton Public Library, Tennessee, have led to calls for the library director’s resignation and threats to community members defending access to these resources.
The Urbandale Community School District in Iowa also faced controversy after compiling a list of books for removal without confirming ownership. The justification was to comply with a state law regarding age-appropriate books, particularly those addressing sex, sex education, sexual orientation, and gender identity. However, the list sparked protests and was eventually revised due to public opposition. Notable titles removed included The Kite Runner, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Color Purple.
In response to these challenges, ALA President Drabinski highlighted the importance of public support for libraries. She urged readers to participate in Banned Books Week, an annual event that draws attention to attempted book removals from libraries, schools, and bookstores. The theme for 2023, Let Freedom Read, emphasizes the need to defend the right to read and support the community of readers, librarians, educators, authors, publishers, and booksellers.
As censorship efforts continue to impact libraries across the United States, it is crucial for individuals to show their support and stand against book bans. Banned Books Week, which will take place from October 1 to 7, provides an opportunity to raise awareness and protect the freedom to read.
