Book Challenges Decline, Removals Surge as Banned Books Week Begins
Reports show conflicting trends in book challenges and removals. ALA notes fewer complaints, while PEN America reports a tripling of school book bans, highlighting the ongoing debate over literary censorship.
As Banned Books Week commences, two recent reports offer contrasting perspectives on the state of literary censorship in the United States. The American Library Association (ALA), founded in 1876, has documented a notable decrease in book challenges for 2024, while PEN America, established in 1922, reports a significant surge in book removals from school shelves during the 2023-24 period.
The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded 414 challenges involving 1,128 titles in the first eight months of 2024, a substantial reduction from the 695 cases and 1,915 books reported during the same timeframe in 2023. However, these figures still exceed pre-2020 levels, indicating an ongoing trend of heightened scrutiny towards library materials.
Conversely, PEN America's data reveals a troubling increase in book removals, with over 10,000 instances recorded in 2023-24, tripling the previous year's count. More than 8,000 of these removals occurred in Florida and Iowa, states that have recently enacted laws restricting book content in schools.
The discrepancy between these reports can be attributed to differing methodologies and definitions. The ALA relies on media accounts and librarian reports, defining a "challenge" as a formal, written complaint. PEN America, on the other hand, utilizes a broader range of sources and considers any withdrawal, regardless of duration, as a "ban."
Both organizations agree that the majority of targeted books address racial or LGBTQIA+ themes. Notable works frequently challenged include Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and "The Bluest Eye." Morrison, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, has become a symbol of the ongoing debate surrounding literary censorship.
In Iowa, a 2023 law prohibiting books depicting sex acts in school libraries has faced legal challenges. After a temporary hold by a federal judge in December 2023, an appeals court lifted the injunction in August 2024, allowing the law to take effect as the new school year begins.
"The law aims to protect students from inappropriate content while maintaining access to diverse literature that enriches their educational experience."
The impact of such legislation is evident in districts like Davenport, Iowa, where books including Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," published in 1985, have been removed from circulation.
Banned Books Week, established in 1982, serves as a reminder of the importance of literary freedom. Supported by organizations such as the ALA, PEN America, and the Authors Guild, the event features readings and displays of challenged works. This year, filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair, with student activist Julia Garnett serving as youth honorary chair.
The ongoing debate surrounding book censorship echoes historical precedents. The first recorded book burning in the United States occurred in 1650 in Massachusetts, while the largest book ban in history dates back to China's Qin Dynasty (213-210 BCE). More recently, the Supreme Court case Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982) addressed the removal of books from school libraries, highlighting the constitutional implications of such actions.
As the discussion continues, it's crucial to remember that the right to freedom of expression, enshrined in the First Amendment ratified in 1791, remains a cornerstone of American democracy. The challenge lies in balancing this fundamental right with community concerns, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives remain accessible to readers of all ages.
