Book Banning Trends Report

 This report reflects on five years of escalating book censorship, including challenges, opportunities, and successes. "This fall marks the start of year six of relentless book bans—that’s more than half a decade. While the movement has shifted since its start, there is little question that we’re in for several more years of tireless advocacy on behalf of the right of all people in this country to read and access diverse, inclusive library collections."

Jensen, K. et al. (2026). We need to tell the story. Book Riot. 

https://bookriot.com/book-censorship-5-year-report/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email 

Book Banning Report

 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

School Library Book Bans

 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.

https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/Nearly-a-Quarter-of-School-Librarians-Have-Experienced-Harassment-Over-Books-SLJ-Censorship-Survey

Book censorship survey

 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

Book Challenges Survey

 According to a national survey, the surge in book challenges nationwide is having a chilling effect on school librarians, who are more likely to avoid buying books or to remove titles from collections because of their content than they were last year. "And while the percentage of U.S. librarians who have experienced a book challenge dropped from 43 percent to 38 percent, 30 percent of those challenges led to a book’s removal in 2023, up from 19 percent last year. Urban school librarians were the only segment to report a rise in book challenges, from 31 percent in 2022 to 39 percent this year.

Perhaps in response to the spike in challenges, 55 percent of respondents said their school’s book challenge procedure was new or revised, an increase from 49 percent in 2022.

The number of librarians who voluntarily removed books from their library also rose, from 42 percent in 2022 to 47 percent in 2023.

All 729 respondents are responsible for selecting books for their library. Their most cited reason for choosing not to buy a book was sexual content, especially at the high school level—increasing from 60 percent in 2022 to 75 percent in 2023. As for other concerns, 43 percent said profanity or vulgar language caused them to reject a book, while 37 percent named LGBTQIA+ content." School Library Journal

Controversial books survey. (2023). School Library Journal.

https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/Book-Challenges-Are-Having-a-Chilling-Effect-on-School-Librarians-Nationwide-SLJ-Survey

Study on access to controversial library materials

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:

• ·         Libraries in low-income areas have lower staffing levels and less up-to-date collections. 
• ·         Access to controversial content is related to local political environments. 
• ·         Book challenges may have chilling effects on the acquisition of LGBTQ+ content. 

Mumma, K. (2023). Politics and school libraries: What shapes students’ access to controversial content. Brookings. 

https://wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality-education/school-libraries/

 

Book Challenges and School Library Collection Development

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

• Schools with more white students, schools located in high-income areas, and schools in non-rural areas have better-resourced school libraries than their counterparts. School libraries in high-income areas acquire substantially more books and employ about 40% more staff than low-income schools.
• Politics appear to be at play.
• While books with “controversial content” tend to be widely available, prevalence of certain titles appears to be influenced by local politics, state laws and the social environment around which the school exists.
• Book challenges in the 2021-22 school year have had a chilling effect on the acquisition and access of certain content in school libraries, LGBTQ+ content in particular."

Mumma, K. (2023). Politics and children's books: Evidence from school library collections. Wheelock Policy Center.

https://wheelockpolicycenter.org/high-quality-education/school-libraries/