State of America's Libraries Report Promotional Tools

Use these graphics and sample social media posts to help spread the word about the State of America's Libraries Report. 
Promotional materials for the Most Challenged Books of 2025 are available in the Banned Books section of the website. 
 

Reporters, please contact: Communications & Media Relations Office, American Library Association, cmomedia@ala.org.

Sample Social Media Posts

92% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them. Learn more and see 2025's most challenged books in the State of America’s Libraries Report. https://bit.ly/soal-26 #NationalLibraryWeek

The latest State of America’s Libraries report highlights both the threats and the powerful advocacy protecting access to information. See what’s happening nationwide. https://bit.ly/soal-26 #NationalLibraryWeek

In 2025, more than 4,200 unique titles were targeted for censorship. The State of America’s Libraries report shows what’s at stake and why it matters. Read and take action. https://bit.ly/soal-26 #NationalLibraryWeek

From threats to (and victories for) intellectual freedom, to increasing services for incarcerated people, to legislative and legal battles, 2025 proved pivotal for our nation's libraries. Read more in the State of America's Libraries Report: https://bit.ly/soal-26 #NationalLibraryWeek

 

Report cover: The State of America's Libraries: A Snapshot of 2025 For the next generation of readers. For the cornerstones of our communities. For access to information for all. For the freedom to read. For the people who power possibility. For the future of learning. For our libraries. ALA150, American Library Association
4,235 unique title targeted for censorship in 2025. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom' State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
92% of all book challenges in 2025 were initiated by pressure groups and government officials. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom' State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
713 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2025. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. State of America's Libraries. ALA150, American Library Association
Organized Campaigns: Percentage of Total Titles Targeted by Organized Campaigns 2001-2025: 6% in 2005; 8% in 2008; 14% in 2015; 25% in 2020; 92% in 2025. The majority of library censorship remains tied to organizational campaigns. Pressure groups and the decision makers they influenced targeted 7.884 total titles in 2025. From 2001-2025, they targeted an average of 5,238 total titles annualy. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. State of America's Libraries, American Library Association
Breakdown of 2025 Censorship Incidents. 68% Books, graphic novels; 13% Access (library closures, funding, bomb threats); 5% Displays; 4% Programs; 2% Online resources/databases; 2% Hate crimes (Vandalism, theft of materials representing marginalized groups); 1% First Amendment Audits; 1% Films; 4% Other. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom' State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
"As community literacy hubs, libraries are poised to maintain a birds'-eye view of literacy across the lifespan, so that adults get the support they need today and the next generation maintains quality learning amid disruptions such as pandemic learning loss, policy shifts, and digital transformation." Rachel Riggs, Technical Advisor, World Education. State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
"As we look toward the next 250 years, the choice is ours. We can let our libraries fade, viewed as charming relics of a bygone era. Or, we can choose to invest in them as a bedrock of our future. Let us decide, right now, that they are not optional. They are the very breath of a free society and they are worth fighting for." Sam Helmick, 2025-2026 ALA President. State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
across the country are responding to the impact of incarceration has on their communities, from art exhibits featuring formerly incarcerated creators to facilitating virtual visitation and reading programs. State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
Legal victories and new state-level protections for intellectual freedom emerged across the U.S. "Right to Read" laws were passed in CT, DE, and RI, while voters in OH, PA, and TX rejected censorship-focused school and library board candidates. State of America's Libraries, ALA15, American Library Association
Within two weeks of the executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, more that 50,000 messages voicing support fo IMLS were recorded and sent to Congressmembers through ALA's action center. State of America's Libraries, ALA15, American Library Association
Report cover: The State of America's Libraries: A Snapshot of 2025 For the next generation of readers. For the cornerstones of our communities. For access to information for all. For the freedom to read. For the people who power possibility. For the future of learning. For our libraries. ALA150, American Library Association
4,235 unique title targeted for censorship in 2025. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom' State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
92% of all book challenges in 2025 were initiated by pressure groups and government officials. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom' State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
713 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2025. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. State of America's Libraries. ALA150, American Library Association
Organized Campaigns: Percentage of Total Titles Targeted by Organized Campaigns 2001-2025: 6% in 2005; 8% in 2008; 14% in 2015; 25% in 2020; 92% in 2025. The majority of library censorship remains tied to organizational campaigns. Pressure groups and the decision makers they influenced targeted 7.884 total titles in 2025. From 2001-2025, they targeted an average of 5,238 total titles annualy. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. State of America's Libraries, American Library Association
Breakdown of 2025 Censorship Incidents. 68% Books, graphic novels; 13% Access (library closures, funding, bomb threats); 5% Displays; 4% Programs; 2% Online resources/databases; 2% Hate crimes (Vandalism, theft of materials representing marginalized groups); 1% First Amendment Audits; 1% Films; 4% Other. Data compiled by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom' State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
"As community literacy hubs, libraries are poised to maintain a birds'-eye view of literacy across the lifespan, so that adults get the support they need today and the next generation maintains quality learning amid disruptions such as pandemic learning loss, policy shifts, and digital transformation." Rachel Riggs, Technical Advisor, World Education. State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
"As we look toward the next 250 years, the choice is ours. We can let our libraries fade, viewed as charming relics of a bygone era. Or, we can choose to invest in them as a bedrock of our future. Let us decide, right now, that they are not optional. They are the very breath of a free society and they are worth fighting for." Sam Helmick, 2025-2026 ALA President. State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
across the country are responding to the impact of incarceration has on their communities, from art exhibits featuring formerly incarcerated creators to facilitating virtual visitation and reading programs. State of America's Libraries, ALA150, American Library Association
Legal victories and new state-level protections for intellectual freedom emerged across the U.S. "Right to Read" laws were passed in CT, DE, and RI, while voters in OH, PA, and TX rejected censorship-focused school and library board candidates. State of America's Libraries, ALA15, American Library Association
Within two weeks of the executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, more that 50,000 messages voicing support fo IMLS were recorded and sent to Congressmembers through ALA's action center. State of America's Libraries, ALA15, American Library Association