Investigation Reveals Rising Book Censorship Trends in Libraries

Investigation Highlights Book Censorship Trends

A comprehensive six-month investigation conducted by the Index on Censorship uncovered alarming trends in book censorship within libraries. The study revealed that 28 out of 53 librarians surveyed, equating to 53%, reported being pressured to remove specific books from their collections. Disturbingly, in more than half of these instances, the books were indeed taken off the shelves.

One school librarian, who participated in the study, shared that they were instructed to eliminate all literature featuring LGBTQ+ themes after a single parent lodged a complaint regarding one particular title. This incident reflects a broader pattern of censorship that has emerged in educational environments.

Among the notable titles facing challenges were:

• “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson
• “Julián is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love
• “ABC Pride” by Louie Stowell, Elly Barnes, and Amy Phelps

Additionally, several schools encountered challenges to various “Heartstopper” titles by Alice Oseman, which were criticized for containing homophobic language, swearing, and discussions related to self-harm. Fortunately, these books were ultimately not removed from circulation.

The character Isaac, portrayed by Tobie Donovan, reading queer literature in the hit Netflix series Heartstopper, symbolizes a growing acceptance of diverse narratives, yet more than half of the requests for book removals originated from concerned parents.

Many librarians, fearing potential repercussions, chose to remain anonymous in the survey. They expressed deep concerns about job security if they resisted orders to remove books. Some even shared stories of defiance, revealing they discreetly offered “off-the-record loans” from hidden stock, while facing parental pressure to have them terminated for allowing their children access to LGBTQ+ literature. Furthermore, they reported being instructed by senior staff to retain certain titles but to keep them hidden from public view.

External Influences on Censorship

The increasing censorship in the UK appears to be influenced by a parallel surge in book bans in the United States, which reached unprecedented levels last year. According to PEN America, an organization dedicated to advocating for freedom of expression, the 2022-2023 school year alone saw 1,477 instances of book bans, impacting 874 unique titles across the US.

Of the 874 unique banned book titles identified, the breakdown includes:

• 44% addressing themes or instances of violence & physical abuse
• 38% covering topics related to health and wellbeing for students, including mental health, bullying, suicide, substance abuse, as well as discussions about sexual wellbeing and puberty
• 30% featuring characters of color or addressing race and racism
• 26% presenting LGBTQ+ characters or themes

In a response to this alarming trend, an initiative led by LeVar Burton, renowned star of Star Trek: The Next Generation and host of Reading Rainbow, gathered nearly 200 prominent celebrities who signed a petition opposing book bans in the US. Notable signatories included:

• Ariana Grande
• Guillermo del Toro
• Mark Ruffalo
• Sharon Stone
• Billy Porter
• Aisha Tyler
• Judy Blume

Burton remarked, “It’s embarrassing that we are banning books in this country, in this culture, in this day and age. It’s dangerous that a handful of individuals are deciding that any book featuring Black and queer people is divisive.” He further called for collective action, urging everyone to raise their voices in support of artistic freedom, embrace multicultural history, and put an end to book bans once and for all.