The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracks attempts to ban or restrict access to books across the United States and to inform the public about censorship efforts in our libraries and schools. Attempts to remove library materials continued during the pandemic, despite many libraries and schools closing or moving their activities and services online.
In 2020, the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 156 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services, affecting 273 books. The office also noted a focus on demands to remove books that addressed racism and racial justice or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. A list of banned and challenged titles can be found on the ALA website.
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials.
Banned Books Week (September 26 - October 2, 2021) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
Press Releases
Banned Books Week to unite communities
Jason Reynolds Named Inaugural Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week
ALA releases State of America’s Libraries Special Report: COVID-19
Most Challenged Books of 2020
Traditionally the ALA releases a Top Ten List within the State of America’s Libraries Report each April. 2021 challenges will be announced in April 2022.
Resources
Download Banned Books Week Artwork
About Banned & Challenged Books
Banned Books Week Coalition Website - an umbrella website to share resources and promote Banned Books Week events for all the sponsors
Banned Books Virtual Read-Out!
Readers from across the country and around the world will participate in a "Stand for the Banned Read-Out" during Banned Books Week 2020.
Visit our "Stand for the Banned Read-Out" playlists to view videos from past participants which include videos from Judy Blume, Chris Crutcher Stephen Chbosky and Dav Pilkey, as well as actors Jeff Bridges and Whoopi Goldberg!
Yearly Lists of Challenged and/or Banned Books
Book Challenges and/or Banned 2018 - 2019 (PDF)
Book Challenges and/or Banned 2016 -2017 (PDF)
Book Challenges and/or Banned 2015- 2016 (PDF)
Book Challenges and/or Banned 2014-2015 (PDF)
Book Challenges and/or Banned 2013-2014 (PDF)
Book Challenges and/or Banned 2012-2013 (PDF)
Additional lists are available.
Media Contacts:
Media interested in scheduling interviews with ALA spokespersons may contact Macey Morales, deputy director, ALA Marketing and Communications Office, 312-280-4393, mmorales@ala.org; or Steve Zalusky, communications specialist, ALA Marketing and Communications Office, 312-280-1546, szalusky@ala.org .