"Since 2021, ALA has tracked a sharp spike in censorship attempts in libraries. In 2024, ALA recorded the third highest number of book challenges since tracking began in 1990: ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023, when a record high 1,247 attempts were reported. ALA recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles in 2024, which significantly exceeds the average of 273 unique titles that were challenged annually during 2001–2020." (ALA, Top 10 Most Challenged Books).
The ten most challenged titles, along with reasons cited for censoring the books, are featured in the video posted below. Click here to view the video on the IRC's Kaltura site.
"Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular" (ALA, Banned Books Week, 2024).
"Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. By focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship" (ALA, Banned Books Week, 2024).
Challenge: "An attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.
Banned: Removal of materials.
Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection" (ALA, Banned Book FAQs, 2024).
"Banned Books Week (October 5 - 11, 2025)", American Library Association, December 11, 2012. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned (Accessed April 21, 2025)
"Free Downloads", American Library Association, January 3, 2013. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/freedownloads (Accessed April 21, 2025)
Curriculum & Instruction Librarian
Head of the IRC
✉ dschreck@ashland.edu
How would you rate your knowledge of banned and/or censored books?