Book bans reach record highs

The ALA's annual State of America's Libraries Report highlights a growing and coordinated effort to remove or restrict access to certain books in schools and public libraries.

The number of challenged titles in 2025 was the second-highest on record, narrowly missing the peak set in 2023.

Activists and government officials are responsible for the vast majority of these challenges, which often target themes of identity and social justice.

The association warns that these efforts represent a significant threat to intellectual freedom and the diverse representation of stories in American culture.