Intellectual Freedom

Privacy, Censorship, Banned Books, Freedom of the Press

2023 Preliminary Data Shows Record Surge of Challenges in Public Libraries

Between January 1 and August 31, 2023, OIF reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles - a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022, which saw the highest number of book challenges since ALA began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. The vast majority of challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Infographic of books in the top 13 challenges - 4 tie for 10th place

MI Right To Read

CBLDF

Logo for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.

 

Reasons for Banning Books

“This is a dangerous time for readers and the public servants who provide access to reading materials. Readers, particularly students, are losing access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their jobs.”
- Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom

"Throughout history, more and different kinds of people and groups of all persuasions than you might first suppose, who, for all sorts of reasons, have attempted—and continue to attempt—to suppress anything that conflicts with or anyone who disagrees with their own beliefs."

- American Library Association

Word cloud of reasons cited for challenging books.

Challenge Support for Libraries and Librarians

Chart showing proportions of challenge initiators parents 30% patrons 28% etc...

Infographic of where challenges occur: 48% public libraries, 41% school libraries, 10% schools

Organizations, Websites, Resources

Freedom to Read Foundation

Logo for the Freedom to Read Foundation

The Freedom to Read Foundation has been a sponsor of Banned Books Week since 2012.  Started in 1982 to highlight the increase in challenges to books in libraries, schools, bookstores, and elsewhere, Banned Books Week is now a national—even international—celebration of the freedom to read.

Pen America

Pen America Logo

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.  Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

Neil Gaiman on Reading

Photo of Neil Gaiman