Banned Books Week 2023: Who, Why and Where?

Parents led the charge to challenge and ban books in 2021 with 39% of all challenges originating from concerned parents. Library patrons made up the next largest demographic with 24%. It's worth noting that only 1% of challenges were initiated by students - the intended audience for the majority of books being challenged.

This graphic was pulled from the 2022 State of America's Libraries Report. 

This graphic was pulled from the 2022 State of America's Libraries Report.

Books are banned or challenged for many different reasons, as the graphic above shows.  The top ten reasons are:

• LGBTQ content
• Sexually explicit content
• Use of profanity
• Racist content
• Violent content
• Expression of a specific religious viewpoint
• Content considered to be sex education
• Content involving drug or alcohol use
• Content related to suicide
• The depiction of nudity

For more information,please visit 10 Reasons Books Are Challenged and Banned

School libraries account for the most book challenges and bans in 2021 at 44%. Public libraries are a close second with 37%. Schools (classroom collections) and other academic institutions make up 18% and 1% respectively.

This graphic was pulled from the 2022 State of America's Libraries Report.