Freedom to Read: Book Challenges and Bans in the U.S.
This guide provides an overview of current efforts to challenge or ban books in the U.S. and includes information about Banned Books Week and how to fight library censorship.
Selection of Letters from Authors and Organizations
Note: each resource is accompanied by a red lock icon or a green open lock icon to indicate whether the resource is freely available () or available through the University Libraries ().
Due to a dramatic uptick in book challenges and outright removal of books from libraries, ALA's Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA's eight divisions have released the following joint statement regarding attempts to remove materials that focus on LGBTQIA+ issues and books by Black authors or that document the Black experience or the experiences of other BIPOC individuals:
by Elizabeth Harris and Alexandra Alter for International New York Times, Feb. 3, 2022.
"Challenges to books about sexual and racial identity are nothing new in American schools, but the tactics and politicization are."
by Ron French for Bridge Michigan, August 3, 2022.
"A west Michigan public library may close after residents voted to defund it Tuesday. Voters are upset about LGBT-themed graphic novels in the library. Residents and library officials are now at a stalemate about what happens next."
by Jay Valle for NBC Out News, August 11, 2022.
"If the Patmos Library doesn’t make up for the lost funds, it could run out of money by late next year, its board president said. "
Windy City Times, Nov. 24, 2022.
"In Missouri, the North Kansas City School district said it would return two books exploring LGBTQ+ themes to its high school libraries following public outcry, The Hill noted."
by Frank Fernandez for The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Nov. 19, 2021.
"Flagler County Schools is considering whether to remove 'All Boys Aren't Blue' from its media centers after a school board member filed a criminal complaint about the book with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office."
by Samantha Hernandez for Des Moines Register, July 15, 2022.
"A small town Iowa library caught in a national debate over LGBTQ-themed books is once again without a director and will operate under limited hours after a brief shut down."
by Andrew Albanese for Publisher's Weekly, Aug. 30, 2022.
"In a resounding victory for the freedom to read, a Virginia state judge on August 30 swiftly dismissed two closely watched cases that sought to bar the public display and sale of two books alleged to be obscene under an obscure state law."
by Karoline Leonard for OU Daily, August 24, 2022.
"A Norman [Oklahoma] High School English teacher resigned Tuesday evening after a parent complained that she violated sections of House Bill 1775. "
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pressed the Illinois Secretary of State and a student activist during a Senate judiciary hearing on censorship and book bans.
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