US Schools Report Over 10,000 Book Bans in 2023-2024 Amid Contentious Debates

Across the United States, a contentious debate over book content in schools and libraries has led to a significant surge in book removals, with over 10,000 instances recorded in public schools during the 2023-2024 academic year. This escalating trend reflects a deeply polarized discussion, where some advocate for parental rights and protection from what they deem inappropriate content, while others champion intellectual freedom and diverse representation. As Rhyen Staley articulated in a recent tweet, "Leftists will claim this isn’t “banning books,” it’s stopping the reach of “fascists.” liberating tolerance for books."

Data from PEN America indicates 10,046 instances of book bans across 29 states and 220 public school districts in the 2023-2024 school year, affecting 4,231 unique titles. This marks a substantial increase from the 3,362 bans reported in the previous school year. In contrast, the American Library Association (ALA) tracked 821 attempts to censor library materials and 2,452 unique titles across all library types in 2024, a decrease from 2023 but still significantly higher than pre-2020 levels. The discrepancy in numbers often stems from differing methodologies and focus, with PEN America concentrating primarily on school libraries.

The books most frequently targeted for removal address themes such as LGBTQIA+ identities, race and racism, and sexually explicit content. Proponents of these challenges often cite concerns about age-appropriateness, claims of obscenity, and the promotion of specific ideologies like critical race theory. A central argument frequently invoked is that of "parental rights," asserting that parents have the fundamental authority to direct their children's education and access to materials.

While individual parents initiate some challenges, many widespread removal efforts are spearheaded by organized conservative groups. Organizations like Moms for Liberty, Parents Defending Education, and No Left Turn in Education actively provide lists of objectionable books and pressure school boards to implement bans, leveraging social media and local activism to mobilize support. These groups contend they are protecting children and ensuring school content aligns with community values.

Opponents of book bans, including the ALA and PEN America, argue that such removals violate intellectual freedom and students' right to access diverse perspectives. They contend that banning books, particularly those featuring marginalized characters, harms LGBTQ+ students and students of color by making them feel unseen and excluded. Furthermore, these actions are seen as undermining the professional expertise of librarians and educators, creating a "chilling effect" that leads to self-censorship and limits critical thinking.

The legal landscape surrounding book bans is also evolving, with several lawsuits challenging state laws on constitutional grounds. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Florida Freedom to Read Project have filed federal lawsuits in states like Missouri, Arkansas, and Florida, arguing that these laws impose unconstitutional content-based restrictions on speech and are unconstitutionally vague. In December 2023, a federal court temporarily blocked an Arkansas law that would have criminalized librarians for providing "harmful" materials, ruling it unconstitutional.