Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books 2010-2019

ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has been documenting attempts to ban books in libraries and schools since 1990. For Banned Books Week, OIF compiled this list of the most banned and challenged books from 2010–2019 by reviewing both the public and confidential censorship reports it received. This list draws attention to literary censorship but only provides a snapshot of book challenges. OIF estimates about 82–97% of challenges remain unreported.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Sept. 27

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Matt Witkos and Kallista Cory write: “Patmos Library in Jamestown Township, Michigan, gained national attention for facing tension over books featuring LGBTQ+ topics. And it faced potential closure because of a lack of funding. It took three separate millage votes for funding to finally be renewed. Now the local community spot is closed” temporarily after five of eight staff members resigned last week. “The five shared with FOX 17 that they felt limited by the board in doing the jobs they were hired to do.” The majority of residents who attended the library’s board meeting May 12 expressed support for the staff.

WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids, Mich.), May 9, May 13; Holland (Mich.) Sentinel, Nov. 8, 2023
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Lolita C. Baldor writes: “The Pentagon has ordered all military leaders and commands to pull and review all of their library books that address diversity, anti-racism or gender issues by May 21, according to a memo issued to the force on May 9. It follows similar efforts to remove hundreds of books from the libraries at the military academies [and schools]. The memo says that educational materials at the libraries ‘promoting divisive concepts and gender ideology are incompatible with the department’s core mission.’ By May 21, the memo says, additional guidance will be provided on how to cull that initial list.”

Associated Press, May 9; Apr. 1; ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office and American Association of School Librarians, Feb. 14
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Anne Ford writes: “With total earnings of $426,600, Adriana Harmeyer, archives and special collections assistant professor and archivist for university history at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is the winningest library professional ever to have appeared on Jeopardy! On May 14, she seeks to further cement that title, as she aims for the quarterfinals of the 2025 Jeopardy! Masters Tournament. Harmeyer—who holds the 11th longest consecutive winning streak of any player on the show—spoke with American Libraries about her longtime love of the game, her least favorite category, and how she blazed her path to the Masters.”

American Libraries Trend, May 12
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Leslie Burger writes: “We have all been impacted in both anticipated and unpredictable ways following the sweeping changes in Washington, D.C., since the January inauguration. ALA has always done its best to avoid partisan politics, choosing instead to work across the aisle to develop partnerships and relationships with individuals and organizations that share our values and support the important work of libraries. Libraries are inherently nonpartisan institutions. But this time a different approach may be needed.”

American Libraries column, May; AL: The Scoop, Apr. 8
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On May 12, ALA President Cindy Hohl released a statement criticizing President Trump’s May 10 dismissal of Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter. Perlmutter was fired two days after the Trump administration fired Carla Hayden, head of the Library of Congress, which oversees the US Copyright Office. Perlmutter’s termination came shortly after her office issued a report questioning the legality of training artificial intelligence systems on copyrighted works. According to Wired, Paul Perkins, who claimed he was new acting director of the Copyright Office, and Brian Nieves, who identified himself as the new deputy librarian, attempted to enter the Copyright Office May 12, but left after a discussion with Capitol Police.

AL: The Scoop, May 12; Associated Press, May 11; Politico, May 10; United States Copyright Office, May; Wired, May 12
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Chase Ollis writes: “The 2025 recipients of the I Love My Librarian Award are 10 standout librarians. They include a bookmobile librarian serving a community in crisis, a school librarian bridging gaps for low-income students, a youth detention facility librarian creating a more inviting and inclusive space, and other notable community figures. ALA presented the awards on January 24 as part of the LibLearnX conference in Phoenix (watch a video of the ceremony). Among the recipients were four academic librarians, three public librarians, and three school librarians, each nominated by community members for their expertise, dedication, and impact.”

American Libraries feature, May
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ALA, along with other members of the Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition, expressed strong disappointment following the Senate’s passage of S.J. Res. 7, a Congressional Review Act joint resolution that overturns the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to allow E-Rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspot lending by schools and libraries. The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives. If enacted, it would eliminate a critical tool that community anchor institutions use to provide broadband access to students and library patrons who rely on hotspots for education, employment, and health care. Over 800 school and library districts have requested approximately 200,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to loan out this year to students and library patrons.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, May 8, July 18, 2024; Universal Service Administrative Company

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