Countering Censorship

Book Challenges Nearly Doubled From 2021 CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today released new data documenting* 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 challenges reported in 2021. A record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021.

A rural Texas county that was ordered by a federal judge to return banned books to its public library shelves is now considering shutting down its libraries entirely.

These efforts are part of a broader, conservative-led movement to chisel away at the rights and status of LGBTQ Americans.

House lawmakers heard hours of testimony over legislation that would strip school and library employees of a legal defense against charges they distributed material harmful to minors.

“The ability to read is fundamental to a child’s success,” Little wrote.

Missouri library leaders say a plan by state legislators to strip state funding for public libraries across the state would weaken rural libraries.

See Cult of Pedagogy's list of resources to aid educators in teaching accurate and inclusive history in an era of book banning and censorship.

This year, proposed educational gag orders have increased 250 percent compared to 2021.

Librarians in Missouri are going to court to challenge a law that has led to books being removed or targeted in school libraries across the state.

A federal judge in Texas ruled that at least 12 books removed from public libraries by Llano County officials, many because of their LGBTQ and racial content, must be placed back onto shelves within 24 hours, according to an order filed Thursday.

Is cancel culture a mob mentality, or a long overdue way of speaking truth to power?

TOOLKIT FOR LIBRARIES & BOOKSTORES

The American Library Association says it has provided legal guidance and support to a number of libraries impacted by the "dramatic uptick" of attempts to remove books concerning LGBTQ issues and people of color.

This week marks Banned Books Week, celebrated annually at the end of September to honor our freedom to read and the importance of free access to information, whether or not we personally agree with it. Join us as we explore the history of banned books.

Libraries are supposed to be a bastion of free speech and discovery, but the book banners are getting more brash. Here's how you can help.

From The Chicago Tribune: Last week, city and Chicago Public Library officials declared Chicago a sanctuary city for those stories, by establishing “Book Sanctuaries” across the city’s 77 distinct community areas and 81 library branches. That entails a commitment to expand local access to banned or challenged books through library programming. [Clip] Chicago Public Library […]

Forty years after Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 to raise awareness about censorship, the issue has taken on new importance for booksellers across the country, who increasingly find themselves on the front lines, alongside librarians, in defending people’s freedom to read.

We should trust individuals to make their own decisions. Raise your voice for everyone's freedom to read. #UniteAgainstBookBans

A conservative campaign to ban certain books from schools is prompting other parents to push back. The issue is often framed as the latest "culture war" battle, but some see democracy itself at stake.

As efforts to control books continue, Nashville Public Library hopes to reach thousands of readers with its "I read banned books" card.

These nonfiction books about censorship offer different perspectives in various formats to show how censorship and book banning persists.

With challenges to books in the United States at a high, the Matinicus Island Library is a remote haven for controversial literature

The American Library Association says libraries faced the highest number of book challenges since they started tracking in 2000. Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer topped their list of most challenged books.

The ABA Journal is read by half of the nation's 1 million lawyers every month. It covers the trends, people and finances of the legal profession from Wall Street to Main Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Voters in Jamestown Township decide in November whether to fund the community’s only library.

On March 25, word started to spread on Twitter that a multitude of LGBTQ books—many of them by debut authors—were inexplicably missing from Target’s website, despite a number of the titles having previously been listed for pre-order.

Arizona state senators gave preliminary approval to a measure directing the Department of Education to come up with a list of books to ban in public schools.

Supporters say Senate Bill 5 is meant to protect children. Opponents ask, which children?