Bannings and attempted bannings of books continue to hit record highs. That's according to a new report from the American Library Association. On Thursday, the ALA announced that 4,240 works in schools and libraries had been targeted. It's a substantial hike from the 2,571 books of 2022. And it's the most the library association has ever tallied.
NEW YORK — Bannings and attempted bannings of books soared again in the U.S. last year, continuing to set record highs, according to a new report fromOn Thursday, the ALA announced that 4,240 works in school and public libraries had been targeted in 2023, a substantial hike from the then-recordAs in recent years, many of the books being challenged — 47% — have LGBTQ and racial themes.
“Each demand to ban a book is a demand to deny each person’s constitutionally protected right to choose and read books that raise important issues and lift up the voices of those who are often silenced,” Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement.Caldwell-Stone said she was especially concerned about the rise in challenges at public libraries, now some 40% of overall challenges — more than double the percentage from 2022.