For centuries, literature has been subject to censorship, challenges, and bans. Preliminary data shows that 2023 will have the highest number of book challenges in the United States since the American Library Association began recording data over twenty years ago. MC Library's Collection Development Guidelines affirm our commitment to the Library Bill of Rights, intellectual freedom, and the freedom to read.
"In making selections, the library attempts to include material representing differing points of view on controversial issues. As long as subjects fit into the general collection guidelines of the library, they will be considered without censorship or prejudice when determining the collection’s balance."
Members of the library profession hold strong values related to intellectual freedom, the freedom to read, academic freedom, censorship, and more. Explore the websites below for more information on how libraries protect your rights.
A challenge may result in access being retained, restricted, or revoked at a school or public library.
ALA's Office of 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).
In 2022, nearly 51% of the demands to censor books targeted books, programs, displays, and other materials in school libraries and schools; 48% of book challenges targeted materials in public libraries.
48%: public libraries, 41% school libraries, 10% schools, 1% higher education libraries and other institutions.
Statistics based on 1,264 cases with known locations.
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.
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.)
Statistics based on 1,207 cases with known initiators.
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.
Number of unique titles challenged by year: 305 in 2003, 339 in 2012, 223 in 2020, 1,858 in 2021, and 2,571 in 2022.
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