Librarians vs. Book Bans: In Defense of Literature

By Adam Stone

The number of books targeted for censorship in America increased by 65 percent in 2023, with 4,240 titles targeted for removal from schools and libraries, the American Library Association (ALA) reports. That’s the highest level ever documented in more than 20 years of tracking.

There’s a clear agenda here. “Recent censorship data are evidence of a growing, well-organized, conservative political movement, the goals of which include removing books about race, history, gender identity, sexuality, and reproductive health from America’s public and school libraries that do not meet their approval,” according to ALA.

In this environment, librarians—and school librarians in particular—find themselves on the front lines of the culture wars.

Adam Stone

Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.