US Libraries Witness Record 5,668 Book Bans in 2025, Highlighting Censorship Surge
The American Library Association (ALA) has unveiled alarming data showing that US libraries experienced a record high of 5,668 books banned in 2025. This figure represents a significant 66% of all books challenged during the year, with an additional 920 titles censored through restrictive measures like relocation on shelves. The most-banned book was Sold, a 2006 novel by Patricia McCormick that addresses sex trafficking in India, closely followed by other frequently challenged works such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, and Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas.
Challenges and Trends in Library Censorship
According to the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), challenges were recorded against 4,235 unique titles in 2025, marking the second-highest number since the organization began tracking censorship data over three decades ago, only slightly below the 4,240 titles in 2023. A striking 40% of the materials challenged involved representations of LGBTQ+ individuals or people of color, underscoring a targeted effort against diverse narratives.
The ALA's annual list of the most-banned books, typically limited to 10 entries, expanded to 11 this year due to a four-way tie for eighth place. This compilation is based on an analysis of 713 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2025, with 487 specifically targeting books. The report highlights a troubling shift: challenges are becoming more coordinated and politically motivated, with 92% originating from pressure groups, decision-makers, or government officials, up from 72% in 2024. In contrast, only 2.7% were attributed to parents and 1.4% to individual library users.
Political Drivers and Legal Context
Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the OIF, emphasized that the surge in book bans is not driven by grassroots concerns but by a well-funded, politically orchestrated campaign. "In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts," Lamdan stated. "They were part of a well-funded, politically driven campaign to suppress the stories and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and Bipoc individuals and communities."
The ALA defines a "challenge" as an attempt to remove or restrict access to a library resource, while a "ban" refers to the actual removal of materials. This distinction is crucial in understanding the scale of censorship efforts. Several US states, including Florida, Texas, and Utah, have enforced laws that limit or remove books from schools, often focusing on content related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and materials deemed "harmful to minors." In Iowa, an appellate court recently ruled that the state can implement a law restricting discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in certain school grades and banning specific books.
Most Challenged Books of 2025
The ALA's list of the most challenged books in 2025 includes:
- Sold, by Patricia McCormick
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
- Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe
- Empire of Storms, by Sarah J Maas
- (tie) Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo
- (tie) Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins
- A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J Maas
- (tie) A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
- (tie) Identical, by Ellen Hopkins
- (tie) Looking for Alaska, by John Green
- (tie) Storm and Fury, by Jennifer L Armentrout
This data reflects a broader trend of increasing censorship in the US, with implications for intellectual freedom and access to diverse literature. The ALA's findings serve as a critical reminder of the ongoing battles over what stories are allowed in public spaces, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting free expression.
