Collection development policy and the challenged book. Tiger eyes by judy blume, fahrenheit 451 by ray bradbury, the chocolate war by robert cormier, of mic. To commemorate 30 years of banned books week and enter our 31st year of protecting readers rights, ala prepared l this timeline of significant banned and challenged books. Each situation a librarian or educator may find themselves in possesses a variety of factors that influence the appropriate protocol. The american library association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services. Apr 12, 2016 the book to receive the greatest numbers of challenges in 2015 was john greens young adult novel looking for alaska, said the ala, with objections raised over its offensive language. Thirteen reasons why tops most challenged books list, amid. Quarryville library recognizes the principles of free library services and free inquiry as fundamental concepts of the democratic heritage of the united states of america. The american library association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. These are the 10 most banned and challenged books in america. Libraries are the only place dedicated to serving the information needs of everyone in the community.
The american library association ala has just released its list of the top 10 most challenged books in 2017, and the publics reasons for attacking these books, many of. Under the best professional standards, reconsideration policies ask those. Library materials may be controversial and any given item may offend some person. The top 10 most challenged books of 2019 list is included in ala s state of americas libraries 2020 report.
The ala condemns censorship and works to ensure free. Aug 18, 2018 an actual banning a book being made completely unavailable to young readers is nowhere near as common as a challenge to restrict access successful or otherwise, and as the ala office of intellectual freedoms history of banned book week notes, this is in part due to advocacy of librarians and teachers such as this very week. Ala announces top ten challenged books in 2017 the american. The bible makes most challenged books list in us for first. Banned books week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. The american library association released its annual snapshot of books most challenged books. The bestselling hit list series gives you the information you need to defend challenged books with an informed response, all the while ensuring free access to young book lovers. Library policy development american library association.
Ala posts top 10 most challenged books in 2019 lj infodocket. This policy should be in keeping with your librarys mission statement, other access policies and community needs. Ala announces top 11 challenged books in 2018 the american. Apr 09, 2019 its an imperfect measure, because the ala. Frequently challenged books american library association. Six out of the 11 books were challenged for containing lgbtq characters. As such, they collect and make available a wide variety of information resources representing the range of human thought and experience. Bluest eye, khaled hosseinis the kite runner and a book in the ala s new. Board policy pikes peak library district believes in freedom of information for all, and does not practice censorship. The book to receive the greatest numbers of challenges in 2015 was john greens young adult novel looking for alaska, said the ala, with objections raised over its offensive language. Apr 11, 2018 jay ashers thirteen reasons why topped the american library associations list of books that were challenged in 2017.
The ala office for intellectual freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. More than half of the top 11 most frequently challenged and banned books of 2018 include lgbtq content, according to a report released monday by the american library association. Sep 15, 2012 not too surprisingly, some people around the country had taken a different approach and formally challenged this book because they too felt the nudity was not appropriate not only for their own children but also for other peoples children. For researching why a particular book has been challenged, we recommend the banned books resource guide, which is represented on this list by the most recent editions, as well as the entry for the serial comprised of all the editions. Aug 07, 2017 bibliography supporting research on censorship, banned and challenged books, and intellectual freedom. A day in the life of marlon bundo is the second most challenged book on. If a patron approached me with concerns about a book for young people i would take advice from the ala for handling the situation. There are many other books for young people which have been challenged for a wide variety of reasons. Traditionally the ala releases a top ten list within the state of americas libraries report. The annual list is compiled by the american library association s office for intellectual freedom. Since 1982, banned books week has rallied librarians, booksellers, authors, publishers, teachers, and readers of all types to celebrate and defend the freedom to read. Alas office for intellectual freedom oif receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country.
Responses from authors of the top 11 most challenged books. Libraries are the only place dedicated to serving the information needs of. According to a list compiled by the american library association ala, the bible was challenged for religious viewpoints, coming in at number six out of. Typically held during the last week of september, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. Ala s office for intellectual freedom oif is charged with implementing the intellectual freedom policies of the american library association through educating librarians and the public about the concept of intellectual freedom as embodied in the library bill of rights, the associations basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. Selections for the library are made solely on the merits of. The american library association released its annual list of the top ten most challenged books of 2015.
Certain ala guidelines can help to craft some of the wording for your documents, like the library bill of rights, the freedom to read, and the freedom to view. Adams, online senior lecturer, antioch universityseattle, fremont, wi. Apr 20, 2020 the american library association released its annual snapshot of books most challenged books. When materials are challenged cooperative childrens book. Every year, the ala helps to celebrate and recognize famous books that have been banned or challenged in the past with their banned books week.
List of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books. Ala releases top 11 most frequently challenged books of 2018. Frequently challenged books for kids and teens at one time or another, all the books on this list have been challenged by individuals or groups seeking to have them removed from libraries or classrooms, according to the american library association. Throughout the week, the huffington post will highlight voices from various communities impacted by censorship, including lgbt readers, religious writers and latino bibliophiles. Apr 08, 2019 more than half of the top 11 most frequently challenged and banned books of 2018 include lgbtq content, according to a report released monday by the american library association. Peruse the following pages to explore banned and challenged books by topic, genre, time, and audience. Number of copies that angie thomass young adult novel, the hate u give, printed in its first month. Ala s office for intellectual freedom oif receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. Americas most banned book, george, is about a trans girl.
In 2018, the ala s office for intellectual freedom documented 483 books challenged or banned in 2018. Featuring 24 hot button books, hit list for children 2 presents a whos who of childrens literature writers including dahl, allard, blume, rowling, stine, lengle. While highlighting the past years most frequently challenged books, the ala also hopes to foster a discussion about intellectual freedom. List of most commonly challenged books in the united states. The 10 most challenged books of 2016 publishers weekly.
However, since the ala s database is built by media coverage and individual reports, its not. A book is challenged when someone requests that it be removed from a library or that access to it be restricted. Included is each books rank in the ala s lists of top 100 challenged books by decade if applicable. John olivers parody book among most challenged works not everyone was amused by the john oliver sendup of a picture book by the wife and daughter of vice president mike pence. List of most commonly challenged books in the united. Sep 25, 2017 half of the ala s top 10 most challenged books, including this one summer and drama, received complaints over lgbt content. These documents are policies of the american library association, having been adopted by the ala council. Sep 25, 2018 this years banned books week is september 2329. John olivers parody book among most challenged works abc. With such a wide spectrum of ideas and information available, it is inevitable that people will occasionally encounter resources they believe to be offensive. Top 10 most challenged books lists advocacy, legislation. This freedom to choose what we read from the fullest array of possibilities is firmly rooted in the first amendment to the u.
We will share an excerpt from a frequently challenged graphic novel, and examine the effect book. Of the 483 books that were challenged or banned in 2018, these are the top 11 most challenged. Jay ashers thirteen reasons why topped the american library associations list of books that were challenged in 2017. The majority of the most challenged books have lgbtq content, notes a report from the american library association. Library bill of rights alas basic policy concerning access to information states that. The ala emphasizes the importance of knowing your librarys collection development policy and being able to explain it clearly and in terms that everyone can understand not just library jargon. Search lists of frequently banned and challenged books. Banned books week brings together the entire book community librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers in shared support of the freedom to seek and. Constitution, the amendment that guarantees freedom of. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about. The selection of library materials is predicated on the patrons right to read and freedom from censorship by others. Apr 08, 2019 john olivers parody book among most challenged works not everyone was amused by the john oliver sendup of a picture book by the wife and daughter of vice president mike pence. Guidelines for reconsideration committees tools, publications.
How to respond to challenges and concerns about library. A thoughtful approach to banned books week alsc blog. Every year, the office for intellectual freedom oif compiles a list of the top 10 most challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. Half of the ala s top 10 most challenged books, including this one summer and drama, received complaints over lgbt content. More than half of banned books challenged for lgbtq content. The top 11 most frequently challenged books of 2018 list is included in ala s state of americas libraries 2019 report. When materials are challenged when an intellectual freedom issue arises, it can be difficult to know how to respond.
Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Be prepared with a challenged materials policy public. The ala s office for intellectual freedom oif receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. John olivers parody book among most challenged works. Doyle banned books week 2017 continues thirtysix years of celebratingand protectingthe freedom to read. Jan 01, 2019 ala strongly encourages every library to adopt, implement and publicize a written internet use policy in the same way it adopts other library use and access policies.
Policy this policy applies to materials owned by the quarryville library. When you are working on writing your challenged materials policy, you will need to work with your governing board, especially since they will probably have a part in the process. Apr 09, 2018 the american library association ala has just released its list of the top 10 most challenged books in 2017, and the publics reasons for attacking these books, many of which are aimed at. The 10 most challenged books of 2017, according to the.