MU LibraryFINDGET HELPSERVICESABOUT Skip to Main Content

Banned Books

A guide to book restrictions and removals in the United States

Pie chart image with percentage. Four icons of buildings decorative use.

How Censorship is Tracked

Statistics for banned books can be obtained from two main sources--the American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America.

Methodology:

Academic and Public Libraries:

ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States. Because many book challenges are not reported to ALA or covered by the press, the data compiled by ALA represents a snapshot of book censorship. 

School Libraries:

PEN America records instances of book bans  based on publicly reported data, primarily sourced from local journalists, school district websites, and school board minutes, as well as organizational partners. Local efforts from district employees and advocacy partners supplement their data collection efforts. 

How Censorship Shows up in Libraries

School Libraries

  • Parental permission to check out books
  • Direct challenges and bans
  • Censorship
  • Collection development policy
  • "Soft censorship"

Public Libraries

  • "Soft censorship through relocation of materials (from kids to young adult or young adult to adult)
  • Direct challenges and bans
  • No reconsideration policy

Academic Libraries

  • Lack of diversity in the collection
  • Removing specific titles for a display or exhibit
  • Lack of diversity in collection development policies
  • Lack of funding on diverse titles