Banned Books Week 2024 (September 22–28)

Fast Facts about Book Bans and Challenges

• The American Library Association documented challenges to 4,240 unique titles in 2023—the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago.
• Of the overall number of books challenged in 2022, 40% were part of attempts to censor more than 100 titles at once.
• The First Amendment protects both the creator of speech and the recipient of speech. Readers and library users of all ages have the First Amendment right to access a wide breadth of information and ideas without government interference, with very few exceptions.
• While schools and school libraries have been at the forefront of book bans and challenges, public libraries are not far behind. 44% of challenges in 2023 took place in schools and school libraries, while 54% targeted public libraries. 

You don’t have to go it alone! You can (and should) report challenges and bans to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom by phone or online, and/or to the Maine Library Association Intellectual Freedom Advocacy Group.

Custom Book Lists

BANNED AND CHALLENGED: ADULT FICTION & GRAPHIC NOVELS »

Let Freedom Read! For Banned Books Week, we’re sharing 100 titles from our Adult Fiction, Comic, and Graphic Novel collection that have been banned and/or challenged. Check one out today and celebrate the freedom to read. Note: while some historically frequently-challenged titles have been included, the majority of these titles were challenged in the United States between 2021-2024.

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM »

Libraries are a cornerstone of the community dedicated to serving the information needs of everyone. As such, they collect and make available a wide variety of information resources representing the range of human thought and experience. Portland Public Library stands for Intellectual Freedom.

What does this mean for a public library day-to-day? It means we do not limit what certain people or groups have access to. It means we defend the rights of children, teens, and adults to seek, discover, and borrow books and other materials of their choice. We make resources accessible without censorship, like the removal or banning of books from libraries. We respect privacy as the basis of Intellectual Freedom.

PPL TEEN: SAY NO TO CENSORSHIP »

This list contains books for teens that are frequently challenged or banned in schools, libraries, and communities across the country, as well as books that will educate and empower teens in understanding their rights and Freedom to Read! At the end of the list, we’ve included resources for learning more about book challenges, intellectual freedom, and how to report book challenges.

Censorship and Book Challenges

Need to report censorship and get support? The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom provides confidential support during censorship challenges to library materials, services, and programs.

Are you concerned about a ban, challenge, or legislation in your community? Are you looking for an action toolkit to help? Unite Against Book Bans’s (UABB) toolkit can help you with talking points, contacting decision makers, contacting media, grassroots organizing, social media tools, and branded materials.

Need to defend a particular book? Book Résumés help teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. UABB details each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, book review committees, elected officials, and board members.

Want to keep up with legislation in Maine and across the country that relates to the freedom to read? Check out this map. 

Report book challenges or attempted book bans:

 REPORT A BOOK CHALLENGE NOW »

Join the fight against censorship:

With the unprecedented surge in local and statewide book challenges, ALA offers a clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and advocates in responding to and supporting others facing those challenges.

Unite Against Book Bans is ALA’s national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship with an array of resources, tools, and actions.