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Save the Date banner to Banned Books Week: October 1-7, 2023

When we ban books, we're closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives. But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen. Let freedom read!

Raise awareness about frequently challenged books and the freedom to read with the below graphics and activities.

Censorship by the Numbers infographic depicting who initiates challenges, where challenges take place, what types of materials or services are challenged, and the spike in the number of challenges taking place.

Censorship by the Numbers

The who, what, where, and why of censorship. Download and share our Censorship by the Numbers graphics to spread the word about challenges to library and school materials and services.

Censorship by the Numbers 2-page PDF

Censorship by the Numbers PNG

Censorship by the Numbers inforgraphic depicting the percentage of challenges by material or service type. Text reads: "BOOKS AND BEYOND: The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 1,269 challenges in 2022. Here's the breakdown: 82% Books, graphic novels, and textbooks; 6% Displays and exhibits; 4% Programs and meeting rooms; 1% Films; 7% Other (Includes filtering, access, databases, magazines, online resources, artwork, social media, music, pamphlets, student publications, and reading lists). ala.org/bbooks
Books and Beyond
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Pie chart breaking down who initiates challenges. Reads: In 2022, 90% of reported challenge attempts targeted multiple titles, the work of a well-organized movement that distributes book lists used to initiate mass challenges that can empty the shelves of a library. WHO INITIATES CHALLENGES? 30% parents; 28% Patrons; 17% Political/religious groups; 15% Board/administration; 3% Librarians/teachers; 3% Elected officials; 4% Other (Includes non-custodial relatives, nonresidents, community members without library cards, etc.). ala.org/bbooks/
Who Initiates Challenges
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Censorship by the Numbers inforgraphic depicting various locations. Text reads: "WHERE DO CHALLENGES TAKE PLACE? 48% Public libraries, 41% School libraries, 10% Schools, 1% Academic/Other. Statistics based on 1,264 cases with known locations. ala.org/bbooks
Where Do Challenges Take Place?
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Line graph entitled Number of Unique Titles Challenged by Year. Shows a clear spike in challenges over the last two years.. Censorship on the Rise: The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubled the number reported in 2021. The number of unique titles targeted marked a 38% increase over 2021.
Censorship on the Rise
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Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2022 inforgraphic depicting each book cover, title, author, and reasons challenged.

Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022

ALA documented 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 book challenges reported in 2021. Of the record 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, these are most challenged, including reasons cited for censoring the books.

Censorship by the Numbers 2-page PDF

Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022 PNG

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Image depicting the #1 Most Challenged book of 2022: "Gender Queer" for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
#1 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #2 Most Challenged book of 2022: "All Boys Aren't Blue" for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.
#2 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #3 Most Challenged book of 2022: "The Bluest Eye" for depiction of sexual abuse, EDI content, claimed to be sexually explicit
#3 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #4 Most Challenged book of 2022: "Flamer" for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
#4 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #5 (tie) Most Challenged book of 2022: "Looking for Alaska" for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
#5 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #5 (tie) Most Challenged book of 2022: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" for depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ cotnent, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
#5 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #7 Most Challenged book of 2022: "Lawn Boy" for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
#7 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #8 Most Challenged book of 2022: "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" for profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
#8 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #9 Most Challenged book of 2022: "Out of Darkness" for depictions of abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit
#9 Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #10 (tie) Most Challenged book of 2022: "A Court of Mist and Fury" for claimed to be sexually explicit
#10 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #10 (tie) Most Challenged book of 2022: "Crank" for drug use, claimed to be sexually explicit
#10 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #10 (tie) Most Challenged book of 2022: "Me and Earl and Dying Girl" for profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
#10 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Image depicting the #10 (tie) Most Challenged book of 2022: "This Book Is Gay" for LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit
#10 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2022
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Library Social Shareables

Banner announcing this library celebrates Banned Books Week, October 1-7, 2023
This Library Celebrates
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Graphic that reads: This Banned Books Week...Read a Banned Book
Read a Banned Book!
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Graphic that reads: We Read Banned Books
We Read Banned Books
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