In 2022, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources, 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 book challenges reported in 2021. Censors targeted a record 2,571 unique titles in 2022, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021. Of those titles, the vast majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
Join us in the lobby of Lauinger Library on Tuesday, October 3 to make a button of your favorite banned book.
Throughout the rest of the week, learn about the types of books that have been banned in schools and libraries across the country. You can also tell us which banned books you've read and which have been most thought-provoking and impactful.