www.ala.org
Open in
urlscan Pro
173.237.139.43
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data
Submission Tags: maryland human rights freedom constitution new york nyc ny first amendment artist art Search All
Submission: On April 26 via manual from US — Scanned from US
Submission Tags: maryland human rights freedom constitution new york nyc ny first amendment artist art Search All
Submission: On April 26 via manual from US — Scanned from US
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
<form class="gsc-search-box gsc-search-box-tools" accept-charset="utf-8">
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" role="presentation" class="gsc-search-box">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="gsc-input">
<div class="gsc-input-box" id="gsc-iw-id1">
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" role="presentation" id="gs_id50" class="gstl_50 gsc-input" style="width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td id="gs_tti50" class="gsib_a"><input autocomplete="off" type="text" size="10" class="gsc-input" name="search" title="search" aria-label="search" id="gsc-i-id1" dir="ltr" spellcheck="false"
style="width: 100%; padding: 0px; border: none; margin: 0px; height: auto; background: url("https://www.google.com/cse/static/images/1x/en/branding.png") left center no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); outline: none;"
placeholder="Search ALA..."></td>
<td class="gsib_b">
<div class="gsst_b" id="gs_st50" dir="ltr">
<a class="gsst_a" href="javascript:void(0)" title="Clear search box" role="button" style="display: none;" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="604267263e520ca59416d0a9"><span class="gscb_a" id="gs_cb50" aria-hidden="true">×</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
<td class="gsc-search-button"><button class="gsc-search-button gsc-search-button-v2"><svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 13 13">
<title>search</title>
<path
d="m4.8495 7.8226c0.82666 0 1.5262-0.29146 2.0985-0.87438 0.57232-0.58292 0.86378-1.2877 0.87438-2.1144 0.010599-0.82666-0.28086-1.5262-0.87438-2.0985-0.59352-0.57232-1.293-0.86378-2.0985-0.87438-0.8055-0.010599-1.5103 0.28086-2.1144 0.87438-0.60414 0.59352-0.8956 1.293-0.87438 2.0985 0.021197 0.8055 0.31266 1.5103 0.87438 2.1144 0.56172 0.60414 1.2665 0.8956 2.1144 0.87438zm4.4695 0.2115 3.681 3.6819-1.259 1.284-3.6817-3.7 0.0019784-0.69479-0.090043-0.098846c-0.87973 0.76087-1.92 1.1413-3.1207 1.1413-1.3553 0-2.5025-0.46363-3.4417-1.3909s-1.4088-2.0686-1.4088-3.4239c0-1.3553 0.4696-2.4966 1.4088-3.4239 0.9392-0.92727 2.0864-1.3969 3.4417-1.4088 1.3553-0.011889 2.4906 0.45771 3.406 1.4088 0.9154 0.95107 1.379 2.0924 1.3909 3.4239 0 1.2126-0.38043 2.2588-1.1413 3.1385l0.098834 0.090049z">
</path>
</svg></button></td>
<td class="gsc-clear-button">
<div class="gsc-clear-button" title="clear results"> </div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</form>Text Content
NEW WEBSITE COMING ON MAY 1. 2024. LEARN MORE.
Skip to main content
A Website of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
ALA USER MENU
* My Account
* ALA
* ALA Websites
* Job Board
* GiveALA
* Join ALA
* Renew
* Login
* Search
Toggle navigation
Dealing with censorship challenges at your library or need to get prepared for
them? Visit our Fight Censorship page for easy-to-access resources.
ALA HOMEPAGE QUICKLINKS
* About ALA
* ALA Divisions
* ALA Governance | Elections
* ALA Offices
* ALA Round Tables
* Committees & Volunteer Ops
* Contact ALA
* Give to ALA | Development Office
* History
* Mission & Priorities
* Related Groups, Organizations, Affiliates & Chapters
* Policy Manual
* Strategic Plan
* Advocacy, Legislation & Issues
* Advocacy & Public Policy
* Banned & Challenged Books
* Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
* Intellectual Freedom
* Literacy
* Privacy
* Public Awareness
* Awards, Grants & Scholarships
* ALA Awards Program
* ALA Book, Print & Media Awards
* ALA Grants
* ALA Professional Recognition
* ALA Recommended "Best of" Lists
* ALA Scholarships
* ALA Youth Media Awards
* Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence
* Purchase ALA Award Seals
* Conferences & Events
* ALA Upcoming Annual Conferences & LibLearnX
* Affiliate & Chapter Planning Calendar
* Celebration Weeks & Promotional Events
* Conference & Event Registration
* Past ALA & Division Conferences
* Statement of Appropriate Conduct
* Education & Careers
* ALA Accredited Programs
* ALA Leadership Institute
* ALA Scholarship Program
* Careers in Librarianship
* eLearning Opportunities
* Education for Librarianship
* Employment
* Library Careers
* Membership
* Member Center
* Membership Updates
* FAQ
* News & Press Center
* ALA Press Releases
* ALA Social Media Channels
* Press Center
* Press Credential Guidelines
* Press Kits
* Recent Media Coverage
* State of America's Libraries Report
* Tools, Publications & Resources
* ALA Guidelines & Standards
* ALA Research & Library Topics
* Ctr. for the Future of Libraries
* Challenge Support
* Libraries Transforming Communities
* Professional Ethics
* Programming & Exhibitions
* Publications
×
×
search
BREADCRUMB NAVIGATION
* Contact Congress
ALA > Advocacy > Banned & Challenged Books > Book Ban Data
ISSUES & ADVOCACY
* Advocacy & Public Policy
* Getting Started
* Build Relationships
* Use Traditional Media
* Using Social Media
* State & Local Resources
* Advocacy Assistance
* Advocacy Library
* Advocacy Tools
* Advocacy Action Plan Workbook
* State Legislative Toolkit
* ALA Initiatives
* ALA Ecosystem Initiative
* Holding Space: A national conversation series with libraries
* Reader. Voter. Ready.
* Libraries Build Business
* Be an Advocate
* Training & Events
* Federal Resources
* ALA Policy Corps
* Broadband
* Digital Equity Resources for Libraries
* Emergency Connectivity Fund
* Copyright
* eBooks
* E-rate
* Government Information
* 2020 Census
* Federal Depository Library Program
* Disaster Preparedness
* Open Government
* Library Funding
* American Rescue Plan - Library Relief
* American Rescue Plan - State Guide
* Fund Libraries Campaign
* Fund Libraries Media Toolkit
* Network Neutrality
* Privacy
* Public Service Loan Forgiveness
* School Libraries
* Workforce Innovation
* Talking Points & Tools
* Advocacy Library
* Awareness to Funding
* Library Value Calculator
* Events
* Advocacy Training
* 75th Anniversary
* Banned Books
* Book Ban Data
* Books for All Initiative
* Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
* Top 10 Archive
* Censorship by the Numbers
* Free Downloads
* Shop
* Banned Books Q&A
* Display Ideas
* Banned Books Week
* 2023 Banned Books Week Events
* Banned Books Research Inquiries
* Get Involved
* Stand for the Banned Read-out
* Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
* Access to Library Resources and Services
* Accessibility
* Technology Access and Assistive Technology
* Universal Design
* ALA and Affiliate Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statements
* Continuing Education
* EDI & Social Justice Training
* Facilitators
* ODLOS Webinar Submissions
* ODLOS Webinar Archives
* Trainings and Strategic Planning
* Cultural Programming to Promote Diversity
* Diversity Research & Statistics
* Diversity in the Workplace
* EDI in Our Libraries
* Hateful Conduct in Libraries: Supporting Library Workers and Patrons
* Intersections: ODLOS Blog
* Libraries Respond
* Libraries Respond Archive
* Libraries Respond: Black Lives Matter
* Libraries Respond: Combating Xenophobia and Fake News in light of
COVID-19
* Libraries Respond: Cyber-bullying and Doxxing
* Libraries Respond: Drag Queen Story Hour
* Libraries Respond: Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
* Libraries Respond: National Day of Healing
* Libraries Respond: Protecting and Supporting Transgender Staff and
Patrons
* Library Services for Patrons with Alzheimer's/Dementia
* Library Services to the Incarcerated and Detained
* Outreach Toolkits
* Spectrum
* Workforce Development
* Intellectual Freedom
* ALA Statement Regarding Censorship
* ALA Statement on Censorship of Information Addressing Racial Injustice,
Black American History, and Diversity Education
* Fight Censorship
* Poll: Voters Oppose Book Bans in Libraries
* Library Bill of Rights
* Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights
* First Amendment and Censorship
* Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A
* The Freedom to Read Statement
* Not Censorship But Selection
* Notable First Amendment Court Cases
* Access to Library Resources and Services
* Filters & Filtering
* Academic Freedom
* Meeting Rooms, Exhibit Spaces, and Programs
* 3-D Printing in Libraries: Policies and Best Practices
* Schools and Minors’ Rights
* Hate Speech and Hate Crime
* Hateful Conduct in Libraries: Supporting Library Workers and Patrons
* Shop
* Literacy
* American Dream Literacy Initiative
* About
* Grantee Libraries
* Programming
* Impact
* Resources
* Inclusive Booklists
* Literacy Across the Lifespan
* Privacy
* Core Values
* Privacy and Confidentiality Q&A
* Privacy Field Guides
* Guidelines & Checklists
* Privacy Audits
* Students & Minors
* Laws & Law Enforcement Inquiries
* Training & Programming
* Become a Privacy Advocate
* Public Awareness
* Events
* Libraries Transform
* Sponsors
BOOK BAN DATA
* Email
* Print
* Cite
* Share This Page
The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has
released new data documenting book challenges throughout the United States,
finding that challenges of unique titles surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022
numbers, reaching the highest level ever documented by ALA. Read the full
announcement.
OIF documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship, as well as
1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources in 2023. Four
key trends emerged from the data gathered from 2023 censorship reports:
* Pressure groups in 2023 focused on public libraries in addition to targeting
school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public
libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46%
of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over
2022 numbers.
* Groups and individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often
dozens or hundreds at a time, drove this surge.
* Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC
individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.
* There were attempts to censor more than 100 titles in each of these 17
states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky,
Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas,
Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
A Flourish map
ALA will unveil the list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in the U.S. for
2023 on Right to Read Day, Monday, April 8, as part of the release of the State
of America's Libraries Report that kicks off National Library Week.
ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals
in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States.
Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the
press, the data compiled by ALA represents a snapshot of book censorship. Read
more about our methodology.
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please visit the Banned and Challenged Books Press Kit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPREAD THE WORD (CLICK TO ENLARGE AND DOWNLOAD)
Note: a previous version of one of these graphics incorrectly referenced the
number of unique titles challenged in 2021 as 1,651. In fact, the actual number
is 1,858 unique titles challenged. 1,651 is the number of unique titles
challenged during the preliminary period between January 1 and August 31, 2022,
originally reported in September 2022.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKE ACTION
JOIN UNITE AGAINST BOOK BANS
Unite Against Book Bans is ALA's national initiative to empower readers
everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship with an array of
resources, tools, and actions.
Join the Campaign
REPORT CENSORSHIP
Reporting censorship and challenges to materials, resources, and services is
vital to defending library resources and to protect against challenges before
they happen.
Report Censorship
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
FREQUENTLY CHALLENGED BOOKS
Lists of frequently challenged books compiled by ALA's Office for Intellectual
Freedom to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and
schools.
"FIGHT CENSORSHIP" RESOURCE CLEARINGHOUSE
A clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and advocates in
responding to and supporting others facing those challenges.
LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS INTERPRETATIONS
Documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of
the Library Bill of Rights and background statements detailing the philosophy
and history of each.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METHODOLOGY
ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals
in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States.
Because many book challenges are not reported to ALA or covered by the press,
the data compiled by ALA represents a snapshot of book censorship.
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict access to materials or services
based upon the objections of a person or group. A challenge to a title may
result in access to it being retained, restricted, or withdrawn entirely.
Restrictions on access may include relocating the book to a section of the
library intended for an older age group than the book is intended for, labeling
it with a prejudicial content warning or rating, taking it out of the online
catalog so it has to be requested from a staff member, removing it from open and
freely browsable stacks, or requiring parental permission to check it out.
Challenges do not simply involve people expressing their point of view, but
rather are an attempt to remove materials from curricula or libraries, thereby
curtailing the ability of others to access information, views, ideas,
expressions, and stories. A formal challenge leads to the reconsideration of the
decision to purchase the material or offer the service. This process is governed
by a board-approved policy and includes review of the material as a whole to
assess if it is aligned with the library or school's mission and meets the
criteria delineated in its selection, display, or programming policy (as
applicable).
A book is banned when it is entirely removed from a collection in response to a
formal or informal challenge.
Any reduction in access to library materials based on an individual or group's
belief that they are harmful or offensive is an act of censorship. ALA does not
consider weeding of an item based on criteria defined in a library or school
district's policy to be a ban, nor do we characterize a temporary reduction in
access resulting from the need to review materials to be a ban.
">
FOOTER NAVIGATION
* Committees
* Divisions
* American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
* Assn. for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
* Assn. of College & Research Libraries (ACRL)
* Assn. of Specialized & Cooperative Library
* Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures
* Public Library Assn. (PLA)
* Reference & User Services Assn. (RUSA)
* United for Libraries (Trustees, Friends, Foundations)
* Young Adult Library Services Assn. (YALSA)
* Offices
* Chapter Relations Office (CRO)
* Communications & Marketing Office (CMO)
* Conference Services
* Development Office
* Finance and Accounting
* Governance
* Human Resources
* Information Technology & Telecommunication Services
* International Relations Office (IRO)
* Library & Research Center (LARC)
* Member Relations & Services
* Office for Accreditation
* Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS)
* Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR)
* Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)
* Public Programs Office (PPO)
* Publishing
* Staff Support Services
* Public Policy & Advocacy
* Round Tables
* Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange RT (EMIERT)
* Exhibits Round Table (ERT)
* Film and Media Round Table (FMRT)
* Games & Gaming (GAMERT)
* Government Documents (GODORT)
* Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT)
* Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT)
* International Relations (IRRT)
* Learning RT (LearnRT, formerly CLENERT)
* Library History (LHRT)
* Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT)
* Library Research (LRRT)
* Library Support Staff Interests (LSSIRT)
* Map and Geospatial Information (MAGIRT)
* New Members Round Table (NMRT)
* Rainbow Round Table (RRT)
* Retired Members Round Table (RMRT)
* Round Table Coordinating Assembly
* Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT)
* Staff Directory
* Staff Organizations (SORT)
* Sustainability (SustainRT)
* Contact ALA
*
*
*
*
*
* Copyright Statement
* Privacy Policy
* User Guidelines
* Site Index
* Feedback
* Work at ALA
© 1996–2024 American Library Association
ALA American Library Association
225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300 Chicago, IL 60601 | 1.800.545.2433
Cookie Settings
COOKIE LIST
A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a
user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember
information about you, such as your language preference or login information.
Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use
third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain
of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts.
More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the
following purposes:
STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched
off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you
which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy
preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block
or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
* FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then
some or all of these services may not function properly.
Strictly Necessary Cookies,Functional Cookies Cookie Subgroup Cookies Cookies
used .www.ala.org OptanonAlertBoxClosed , OptanonConsent First Party
connect.ala.org ASP.NET_SessionId , AWSELB First Party ala.org CFTOKEN , CFID
First Party membership.informz.net AWSALB, AWSALBTG, AWSALBCORS, AWSALBTGCORS,
ASPSESSIONIDXXXXXXXX Third Party vimeo.com vuid, __cf_bm Third Party
ala.informz.net AWSALBTGCORS, AWSALBTG, ASPSESSIONIDXXXXXXXX Third Party
worldcat.org TS01fb6b03, TS7da4bb75027 Third Party airtable.com AWSELB, brw,
AWSELBCORS, __Host-airtable-session.sig, __Host-airtable-session, mv,
login-status-p Third Party www.worldcat.org TS7da4bb75027 Third Party
greaterdiversity.com _nx-nocache, PHPSESSID Third Party
PERFORMANCE COOKIES
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and
improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the
most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All
information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you
do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and
will not be able to monitor its performance.
Performance Cookies Cookie Subgroup Cookies Cookies used ala.org _gat , __utma ,
__utmc , _utmv######### , _gat_UA-nnnnnnn-nn , __utmt , __utmb , __utmz , _gid ,
_ga First Party ala.informz.net AWSALBCORS, AWSALB Third Party www.ebscohost.com
BIGipServerpdc-mktg_80 Third Party nr-data.net JSESSIONID Third Party
TARGETING COOKIES
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may
be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you
relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal
information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
advertising.
Targeting Cookies Cookie Subgroup Cookies Cookies used www.ala.org
feathr_session_id First Party ala.org _fbp First Party nytimes.com nyt-gdpr
Third Party youtube-nocookie.com CONSENT Third Party youtube.com CONSENT, YSC,
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE Third Party google.com NID, CONSENT Third Party feathr.co
f_id Third Party www.sltrib.com akaas_AS_sltrib_sltrib_prod, arc-country Third
Party uw-media.usatoday.com user_gsp Third Party www.opb.org
akaas_AS_opb_opb_prod Third Party liadm.com lidid Third Party www.oregonlive.com
akaas_AS_advancelocal_oregonlive_prod Third Party nbcnews.com
nbcnews_geolocation Third Party www.facebook.com Third Party usatoday.com
_lc2_fpi Third Party
We use cookies to improve user experience, analyze web traffic, and provide
personalized offers and advertisements. By clicking "Accept All," you consent to
our use of cookies. ALA Privacy Policy
Cookie Settings Accept Cookies
COOKIE SETTINGS
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect
information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or
your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to
provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow
certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the
services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find
out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You
cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are
deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as
prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your
account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the
First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.
More information
Allow All
MANAGE CONSENT PREFERENCES
STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched
off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you
which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy
preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block
or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
* FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
Always Active
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then
some or all of these services may not function properly.
PERFORMANCE COOKIES
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and
improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the
most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All
information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you
do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and
will not be able to monitor its performance.
TARGETING COOKIES
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may
be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you
relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal
information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
advertising.
Back Button
PERFORMANCE COOKIES
Search Icon
Filter Icon
Clear
checkbox label label
Apply Cancel
Consent Leg.Interest
checkbox label label
checkbox label label
checkbox label label
Confirm My Choices