The ongoing struggle against book bans is entering a new phase, as recent data shows a notable drop in the number of bans. However, there’s increasing concern about librarians and teachers opting for self-censorship to avoid conflict.
Surprisingly, the number of book challenges has decreased significantly from the previous year. Between 2023-2024 and 2025, the rise in bans across schools and libraries appears to have reversed.
Instead of facing bans head-on, advocates for reading rights are now focusing on legal battles to challenge book restrictions while also pushing for legislative safeguards for educators worried about potential backlash due to their selections for students.
During the 2024-2025 school year, Penn America identified 6,870 book bans, compared to a record high of 10,046 the year before. They define a book ban as the removal or restriction of a book in response to community challenges, administrative actions, or government pressure.
“I think the statistics might suggest things are getting better… However, a troubling trend is emerging—what we’re calling silent censorship. People are hesitant to purchase certain books or acknowledge certain authors, and this trend spans the entire industry,” noted one expert.
A study initiated by the Virginia government revealed that 35% of schools did not keep records on book removals. Of those, six reported having removed at least one book.
Advocates for reading rights are now taking proactive measures. They are working on creating legislative support for librarians and educators to mitigate the risk of self-censorship.
Organizations like Penguin Random House are also pushing for laws aimed at protecting the freedom to read in 25 states, successfully passing seven different protections at the recent legislative conference.
While the specifics of these laws vary, many offer protection against professional consequences for teachers and librarians if a book they use is challenged.
“If educators confront unclear laws regarding book challenges every year, the focus shifts from teaching critical thinking to dictating thoughts. This leads to a culture of self-censorship,” one source remarked. Events surrounding Banned Books Week will run from October 5th to 11th.
The American Library Association (ALA) reported 821 attempts to censor materials in libraries in 2024, a drop from 1,247 the previous year. The ALA includes in its definition any removal of materials due to community pressures.
According to the ALA, 72% of these challenges come from external pressure groups, with most attempts at censorship happening in public libraries. About 38% of these challenges target school libraries.
“Often, these challenges are presented in lengthy lists, which include titles not even available in our catalog. It makes it difficult to spot trends when censors are constantly on the lookout,” they added.
Books frequently challenged include George Johnson’s “All Boys Are Not Blue” and Maia Kobabe’s “GenderQueer: Memoirs.” Penn America’s top challenged titles featured “Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess, “Breathless” by Jennifer Niven, and “Sales” by Patricia McCormick.
Those opposing book bans often highlight the challenge of recognizing when censorship occurs.
“I’ve heard anecdotes of people jotting down book titles on sticky notes, discreetly passing them to librarians and demanding both the notes and the books,” one individual shared.
To fight against self-censorship, community members need to establish stronger mechanisms for identifying its presence.
“One effective strategy is to request librarians to obtain books from lists of banned or controversial titles,” suggested Kris Austin, CEO of Draft2Digital, a platform designed for self-published authors, emphasizing that “this can serve as an easy way to spot self-censorship.”
Throughout Banned Books Week, various events will take place nationwide to raise awareness on this issue.
Penguin Random House is launching a “banned wagon” tour showcasing challenged books in cities like Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. Authors will participate in speaking engagements to shed light on the matter, while retailers like Bookshop.org will offer discounts on selected books during this time.
“Banned Books Week transcends mere symbolism; it serves as a crucial reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and engagement in protecting free expression. Supporting this cause through schools, libraries, or platforms that connect authors to readers is essential,” Austin noted.
