Over the past few years, libraries—both school and public—have become battlegrounds in a culture war that seeks to restrict access to diverse perspectives and ideas. This wave of censorship has targeted books featuring LGBTQ+, Black, Latino, and Indigenous characters, themes, and history, often pressuring librarians to remove these materials from their collections.
Time and again, librarians have resisted these calls, standing firm in their commitment to offering diverse resources to their communities. However, when librarians say no, new policies and laws emerge, attempting to limit their ability to serve the public. In some cases, librarians have lost their jobs, faced threats to their lives, and encountered legal proposals that would strip away their protections, prevent them from joining professional associations, and alter the nature of their work.
The harm of these actions is clear. Libraries have long served as essential hubs for information and community support. They aid workforce development, assist seniors, provide resources for veterans, bolster literacy programs, and support homeschooling families. The removal of books from library collections—under the guise of censorship—restricts the vital role these institutions play in fostering an informed and educated public.
Librarians are deeply committed to upholding the First Amendment, understanding its importance in protecting the right to read. They follow codes of ethics and strict selection guidelines to ensure that their collections serve the broadest possible audience, free from personal bias. Libraries are legally prohibited from acquiring obscene or pornographic materials, as outlined by the Supreme Court’s decision in Miller v. California (1973). However, these laws are being misapplied by a vocal minority pushing for censorship, distorting the notion of what constitutes a “book ban.”
A book ban occurs when materials are removed from a library collection based on discriminatory or exclusionary views. Simply because a book remains available for purchase does not negate the fact that it has been banned from public access.
The efforts to censor library collections mirror past movements in defense of intellectual freedom. In 1939, librarians developed the Library Bill of Rights to combat censorship and protect the rights of minority groups. In 1953, the Freedom to Read Statement was created in response to McCarthyism. Today’s censorship attempts are eerily familiar, but with the added speed and reach of social media, the spread of misinformation is unprecedented.
A significant portion of the current debate centers on fears that children might encounter books depicting same-sex families or “inappropriate” materials in school libraries. This fear is often stoked by selective, out-of-context readings of passages, shared online with the intent to stir panic. The truth is, these books are not as widespread as critics suggest, and the materials are often age-appropriate when placed in the correct context within the curriculum.
Librarians are trained professionals entrusted with public funds, and they have the expertise to determine what materials are appropriate for their communities. They follow clear guidelines to ensure that their collections provide something for everyone, embodying the belief that “a good library has something in it to offend everyone.” This commitment to inclusivity is essential to libraries’ mission.
Fortunately, many people across the country are speaking out against censorship. One such effort is the documentary Banned Together, which highlights the real-world consequences of book banning and curriculum censorship in schools. The film follows three students and their allies as they work to reinstate 97 books that were pulled from school libraries.
Ultimately, the attempt to control what people can read is an effort to control them. Libraries, at their core, promote free expression and access to knowledge. Every member of a community—regardless of their background or identity—has the right to read, learn, and explore new ideas without fear of censorship.
