Mixed Reports Show Decline in Library Book Challenges Amid Surge in School Book Removals

On Monday, two reports were published, unveiling a complex but intriguing perspective on the wave of book removals and challenges as the nation prepares to observe the annual Banned Books Week across schools, stores, and libraries. The findings shed light on the contrasting trends regarding censorship attempts, revealing both a decline in reported challenges and a notable increase in the removal of books from school shelves.

Decline in Reported Challenges

The American Library Association (ALA) reported a significant decrease in complaints related to books in public, school, and academic libraries in 2024. The preliminary report indicated a total of 414 reported attempts to censor library materials or services across the country, involving 1,128 different titles. This marks a decline from the previous year's figures, which recorded 695 similar challenges involving 1,915 books during the same period. However, the ALA cautioned that while the number of challenges has dropped, it still exceeds pre-2020 levels significantly.

Organized Campaigns and Targeted Books

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, the director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, attributed the slight decrease in challenges to the possibility that targeted books had already been removed. She also noted an upswing in censorship efforts coinciding with the return of students to school after Labor Day. Caldwell-Stone highlighted the coordinated campaigns aimed at removing books that represent marginalized voices and perspectives, emphasizing the impact on young people's access to diverse information.

Demographics of Challenged Books

Notably, approximately 50% of the challenged books were centered around or authored by individuals from marginalized communities, including people of color and those identifying as LGBTQ. The ALA’s list of the 10 most challenged books nationwide in 2023 included works such as Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” and George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue.” These selections reflect a discernible trend targeting literature that explores race and gender identity, underscoring the intersectionality of the challenges faced by these works.

Legal Pushback and Activism

In a noteworthy turn of events, the ALA attributed the decline in book challenges to the concerted efforts of anti-censorship activists and legal victories against laws restricting book access. A prominent instance involved a school district in Nassau County, Florida, being compelled to return 36 books related to race and the LGBTQ community to school libraries as part of a settlement reached with authors, parents, and students. This outcome underscores the efficacy of advocacy and legal intervention in safeguarding access to diverse literature.

Future of Book Access

While the ALA's report suggests a potential abatement in book challenges, the persistence of objections to certain titles remains evident. Lawmakers in at least 13 states have introduced legislation that could disrupt library services and censor materials. Furthermore, the New College of Florida garnered national attention for discarding hundreds of books, many of which pertained to LGBTQ issues, race, and women's rights. Similarly, the Utah State Board of Education designated 13 books, including Judy Blume's "Forever" and Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake," as banned from school libraries statewide, emphasizing the ongoing contention surrounding access to specific literary works.

Understanding the Terminology

The ALA defines a "challenge" as a formal, written complaint requesting the removal of materials from a library or school due to content or appropriateness. Conversely, PEN America tallies bans through local media reports, school district websites, and organizational partners. Notably, the two organizations differ in their definitions of "ban," contributing to the significant disparity in their reported numbers. For the ALA, a ban entails the permanent removal of a book from a library’s collection, while PEN considers any withdrawal, even for a brief duration, as a restriction of free speech and expression.

Banned Books Week and Advocacy

Banned Books Week, established in 1982, serves as a platform to promote awareness about censorship and the importance of preserving access to diverse literature. Supported by the ALA, PEN, the Authors Guild, the National Book Foundation, and various other organizations, the observance features readings and displays of banned works. It serves to inspire advocacy for intellectual freedom and the right to read without undue restriction.