Book bans and culture wars came for libraries. They’re still standing strong
Librarians across the US are fighting to maintain students' access to books amid a surge in book challenges and bans, with 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, the second-highest total on record. The American Library Association released its Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2025, with titles written by women and nonbinary authors dominating the list.
Librarians in the US are facing intense scrutiny and challenges to the books they provide to students. In 2025, 4,235 unique titles were challenged, the second-highest total on record. The American Library Association released its Top 11 Most Challenged Books, with titles like 'Gender Queer: A Memoir' and 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' leading the list. All but three of the Top 11 titles were written by women and nonbinary authors. Pressure groups and policymakers drove 92 percent of book challenges, up from 72 percent in 2024. Sarah DeMaria, a school librarian in Pennsylvania, has faced personal attacks and book challenges, but remains committed to providing access to a wide range of books for her students.
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