The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has disclosed a significant increase in book challenges across the US. The latest figures indicate a 65% surge in unique title challenges in 2023 compared to the previous year, marking the most considerable escalation ever recorded by the ALA.

ALA report: unprecedented rise in book censorship efforts

The ALA OIF’s report identified a worrying number of 4,240 unique book titles that were targeted for censorship last year, which is a sum greater than the combined total of the prior two years—2,571 in 2022 and 1,651 in 2021. On top of this, there were 1,247 demands for the censorship of books, materials, and other resources in libraries for the year 2023 alone.

The data unearthed four major trends from the censorship reports of 2023. Firstly, the pressure groups of 2023 widened their scope to include public libraries, in addition to their previous focus on school libraries. There was an alarming 92% increase in the titles challenged at public libraries over the last year, which represented approximately 46% of all book challenges in 2023. School libraries experienced an 11% uptick in challenges compared to the figures from 2022.

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The drive behind this uptick has also been attributed to groups and individuals who call for the censorship of multiple titles at once, often targeting dozens or even hundreds.

Diverse libraries come under fire

Additionally, a significant portion of the titles under fire, approximately 47%, are those that echo the voices and narrate the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.

Finally, there were moves to censor more than 100 titles in each of these seventeen states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

“The reports from librarians and educators in the field make it clear that the organized campaigns to ban books aren’t over, and that we must all stand together to preserve our right to choose what we read,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

“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.  By joining initiatives like Unite Against Book Bans and other organizations that support libraries and schools, we can end this attack on essential community institutions and our civil liberties.”

The top 10 most challenged books to be unveiled

In light of these findings, the ALA plans to announce the list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in the US for 2023 on Right to Read Day, which is scheduled for Monday, April 8. This will be part of the release of the State of America’s Libraries Report, a significant event that marks the beginning of National Library Week.

The ALA compiles its data on book challenges from direct reports filed by library professionals and from news stories published throughout the United States. The ALA acknowledges that since many book challenges are neither reported to them nor covered by the press, the data they gather offers only a snapshot of book censorship. For a deeper understanding of their methodology, the ALA invites the public to read more about it.