The American Library Association published their 2025 State of American Libraries report. Some key topics were book banning and censorship (which is now mainly initiated by pressure groups and government officials), services to incarcerated people, advocacy, and libraries as literacy hubs.
State of American Libraries. (2026). ALA. https://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2026
A recent study "discusses how book bans are more than censorship—they’re legislated trauma. Drawing on critical race theory and trauma-informed research, the article shows how removing texts that reflect marginalized identities silences voices, erodes belonging, and inflicts harm on students’ well-being. By framing bans as microaggressions with lasting psychological and physical effects, [The author] reveals them as deliberate assaults on dignity, safety, and identity." (from ILA.org)
A series of studies assessed parental perceptions of libraries and librarians. The results showed that the vast majority of parents trust librarians and do not think book banning is appropriate. School librarians were deemed as “essential” staff in a school, and parents felt their students were not only safe in school libraries but that the professionals were well-suited to selecting age- and content- appropriate material. School librarians (as well as their peers in public libraries) were ranked among the top five most trustworthy professionals. New national research further supports the fact that most Americans disagree with banning and restricting access to books in school libraries.
Knight Foundation. (2024). American's views on book restrictions in U.S. public schools 2024. Knight Foundation.
https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Americans-Views-on-Book-Restrictions-in-U.S.-Public-Schools-2024.pdf
Twenty-four percent of school librarians have experienced harassment during the last year related to books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent national survey, which found the rate even higher among high school librarians, 30 percent of whom report being harassed. Those perpetrating the intimidation are most frequently parents, followed by organized groups, reports the Controversial Book survey fielded in May 2023 and garnering 729 respondents.
Ishizuka, K. (2023, Sept. 30). Nearly a quarter of school librarians have experienced harassment over books. School Library Journal.
Book censorship requests in US public schools and libraries surged to a 21-year high in 2022, with a 70% increase over the previous year, according to the American Library Association. The data reveals a new trend of multiple book titles being targeted in each challenge, often driven by organized political advocacy groups seeking to ban books, particularly those featuring LGBTQ+ themes and diverse perspectives.
Censorship by the numbers. (2023). American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/by-the-numbers
A
national study identified patterns in library resources and content, especially
as they relate to political preferences, state laws, and book bans. the
researcher found that:
Mumma, K. (2023). Politics and school
libraries: What shapes students’ access to controversial content. Brookings.
https://wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality-education/school-libraries/
https://wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality-education/school-libraries/: "This study begins by compiling a novel data set on the books in over 6,000 school libraries across the country. With this unique look inside school library shelves, the author then details some trends and themes related to the collections based on various characteristics, including for instance difference across high and low-income schools and the political leanings of surrounding areas.
Key Findings
School Library Journal surveyed 720 school libraries about the impact of the coordinated censorship campaigns across the country on libraries and collection development decisions. The survey found that the efforts are more often attention-getting, high-visibility acts, e.g., yelling at a school board meeting and pushing for unilateral book removal rather than filing official challenges or following the formal process of reconsideration. Most of the challenges came from parents (80 percent), with teachers and administrators next at 14 percent and 11 percent, respectively. But the more insidious aspect of this movement to remove titles from school libraries is the lasting impact it has on collections going forward.
Yorio, K. (2022, Sept. 8). Censorship attempts will have long-lasting impact on school library collections, SLJ survey shows. School Library Journal.
https://www.slj.com/story/censorship-attempts-will-have-a-long-lasting-impact-on-school-library-collections-slj-survey-shows?fbclid=IwAR3_pDUy0ni_YAcVhvM270zYs1-fhDaqnfM7TEh9SwfqQCvv28fOVMjvlEk
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A new study from PEN also noted the increase in book banning, particularly for books on ethnicities and gender. The study noted the new sources of banning: social media and politicians.
Banned in the USA: Rising School Book Bans Threaten Free Expression and Students’ First Amendment Rights (April 2022). PEN. https://pen.org/banned-in-the-usa/
Reported in the Los Angeles Times: https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=7d6a2131-058f-416f-9065-14b0f9e8623e&fbclid=IwAR2CA00CcAn-7yYaKcuJUAdGvo_hz784iSSRVZHtuj4iqLnkrYEVOuABPn4
