Surge in Book Challenges Press Kit
The American Library Association (ALA) champions and defends the freedom to read as promised by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
In preparation for Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2024), the American Library Association released preliminary data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first eight months of 2024.
Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services. In those cases, 1,128 unique titles were challenged. In the same reporting period last year, ALA tracked 695 attempts with 1,915 unique titles challenged. Though the number of reports to date has declined in 2024, the number of documented attempts to censor books continues to far exceed the numbers prior to 2020. Additionally, instances of soft censorship, where books are purchased but placed in restricted areas, not used in library displays, or otherwise hidden or kept off limits due to fear of challenges illustrate the impact of organized censorship campaigns on students’ and readers’ freedom to read. In some circumstances, books have been preemptively excluded from library collections, taken off the shelves before they are banned, or not purchased for library collections in the first place.
“As these preliminary numbers show, we must continue to stand up for libraries and challenge censorship wherever it occurs. We know library professionals throughout the country are committed to preserving our freedom to choose what we read and what our children read, even though many librarians face criticism and threats to their livelihood and safety. We urge everyone to join librarians in defending the freedom to read. We know people don’t like being told what they are allowed to read, and we’ve seen communities come together to fight back and protect their libraries and schools from the censors.” —ALA President Cindy Hohl
ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States. Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the data compiled by ALA represents a snapshot of book censorship. Read more about our methodology.
2023 Book Challenge Data
Efforts to ban books have persisted in American history, but those efforts reached unprecedented heights in 2024. According to censorship data released March 14, 2024, ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023, as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Pressure groups and individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often dozens or hundreds at a time, drove the surge.
The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers. There were attempts to censor more than 100 titles in each of these 17 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts. Each attempt to ban a book represents a direct attack on every person’s constitutionally protected right to freely choose what books to read and what ideas to explore.
Media contacts:
Raymond Garcia, cmomedia@ala.org
Charisse Barnachea, charisse@mekkymedia.com
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
Library staff in every state faced an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 1,247 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2023, resulting in more than 4,240 unique title challenges or removals. Most targeted books were by or about LGBTQIA+ persons or people of color.
Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the Top Most Challenged Books lists and 2023 data compiled by ALA represent only a snapshot of book challenges. A challenge to a book may be resolved in favor of retaining the book in the collection, or it can result in a book being restricted or withdrawn from the library.
Spokespeople
Cindy Hohl
ALA President (2024-2025)
Cindy Hohl, MBA/MLIS, is a member of the Santee Sioux Nation and works as the director of policy analysis and operational support at the Kansas City Public Library. She is a past president of the American Indian Library Association (AILA) and works with librarians to share information across the globe as a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Indigenous Matters Section and in her work as Co-Chair on the Tribal Library Council for the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM). With a passion for upholding Intellectual Freedom, Cindy serves as an ex-officio trustee on the executive board of the Freedom to Read Foundation and as a member of the Missouri Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee. As a proud ALA Spectrum Scholar, she strives to increase diversity in the library field through mentorship, recruitment, and advocacy. Cindy is the 2024-25 President of the American Library Association and the first Spectrum Scholar to be elected to the role. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Friends University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Baker University and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Wayne State University.
Deborah Caldwell-Stone, JD
Director, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director, Freedom to Read Foundation
For over two decades, Deborah Caldwell-Stone has advised librarians, teachers and library trustees on a wide range of intellectual freedom issues, including censorship of library resources, book challenges, internet filtering, and the impact of new technologies, regulations and government surveillance on library users' privacy and confidentiality. A former appellate litigator, Caldwell-Stone received her J.D. with Honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Number of Unique Titles Challenged in the U.S. by Year, 2000-2023
From 2000 to 2020, the number of unique titles challenged in schools and libraries remained relatively low and steady as individuals challenged one book at a time. In recent years, individuals and groups have begun challenging titles en masse as part of lists submitted to public and school libraries.
Press Releases / Statements
September 23, 2024: American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges
March 14, 2024: American Library Association reports record number of unique book titles challenged in 2023
September 27, 2023: Banned Books Week 2023: Programs, Day of Action, and Events Announced
September 20, 2023: LeVar Burton to lead 2023 Banned Books Week as honorary chair
September 19, 2023: American Library Association releases preliminary data on 2023 book challenges
Additional Resources
Unite Against Book Bans is ALA's national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
Censorship data from 2023 paints a vivid picture of attempts to ban or restrict library books and resources across the United States. We break down censorship by the numbers.
ALA's annual State of America's Libraries Report, which highlights the most critical issues facing libraries across the country. Includes 2023 censorship figures.
A clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and advocates in responding to and supporting others facing those challenges.
The ALA Freedom to Read Statement was originally issued in May of 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, and was last amended June 30, 2004.
Documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights and background statements detailing the philosophy and history of each.
