AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION REPORTS RECORD NUMBER OF DEMANDS TO CENSOR LIBRARY BOOKS AND MATERIALS IN 2022
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Thursday, March 23, 2023
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CHICAGO , March 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) today released new data documenting 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 challenges reported in 2021.
Key Points:
- The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 challenges reported in 2021.
- Of those titles, the vast majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.
- Of the reported book challenges, 58% targeted books and materials in school libraries, classroom libraries or school curricula; 41% of book challenges targeted materials in public libraries.
- Of the overall number of books challenged, 90% were part of attempts to censor multiple titles.