"Rising Book Bans and Sanctuary Libraries: The Battle for Freedom of Expression"
The American Library Association (ALA) reports a rise in book bans and attempted bans, with efforts now extending to public libraries as well as school-based libraries. In the first eight months of 2023, the ALA tracked 695 challenges to library materials and services, a 20% increase from the previous year. The challenges are increasingly directed against multiple titles, with conservative organizations leading banning efforts and calling for more parental control over children's reading materials. The ALA's opposition to bannings has led to some communities withdrawing their membership, and attacks against teachers and librarians have also been reported. The trend of book bans is expected to continue as long as these groups target whole categories of books.