Book Bans Reach Historic Highs: How Libraries Became a Political Battleground

• Book bans in libraries have reached historic highs in the United States, becoming a contentious issue in the ongoing culture wars.
• The American Library Association has reported a significant increase in challenged books, nearly double the number of titles targeted compared to the previous year.
• Organized efforts by groups nationwide are pushing for book removals and challenges, often focusing on books with sexually explicit or LGBTQ+ and racial minority themes.
• Challenges are happening in schools and public libraries, with almost every state in the U.S. having at least one reported challenge.
• Libraries face attacks from conservative parent groups and right-wing media, putting librarians' jobs and intellectual freedom at risk. Still, the American Library Association offers support to library workers facing challenges.