LALibraryAssociation

ALT The American Library Association condemns—in the strongest terms possible—the violence, threats of violence and other acts of intimidation that are increasingly taking place in America’s libraries, including last week’s bomb threats to Hilton Central School District in New York, which put the lives of hundreds of innocent children and staff members in jeopardy.

ALT Number of attempts to ban or restrict library materials in the U.S. by year. Line graph: 458 in 2003; 464 in 2012; 156 in 2020; 729 in 2021; 1,269 in 2022.

ALT 2,571 unique book titles targeted in 2022. American Library Association

ALT While a vocal minority stokes the flames of controversy around books, the vast majority of people across the nation are using life-changing services that school and public libraries offer. Our nation cannot afford to lose the library workers who lift up their communities and safeguard our First Amendment freedom to read. Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, American Library Association President

ALT 90 percent of all challenged books were part of attempts to ban multiple titles. American Library Association

ALT 1,269 attempts to ban or restrict library materials in 2022. American Library Association