Free Downloads

Freed Between the Lines. Banned Books Week, September 22-28, 2024

When we ban books, we're closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives. But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen. Let freedom read!

Raise awareness about frequently challenged books and the freedom to read with the below graphics and activities.

Censorship by the Numbers. Image showing an assortment of visual representations for book ban data for 2023 and the Banned Books Week 2024 theme (Freed Between the Lines). In 2023, the American Library Association documented the highest number of titles targeted for censorship since ALA began compiling data more than 20 years ago. 4,240 unique titles were challenged last year, up from 2,571 targeted in 2022. Learn more at ala.org/bbooks.

Censorship by the Numbers

The who, what, where, and why of censorship. Download and share our Censorship by the Numbers graphics to spread the word about challenges to library and school materials and services.

Censorship by the Numbers 2-page PDF

Censorship by the Numbers PNG

Censorship by the Numbers. Image illustrating the percentage and type of materials challenged in libraries and Banned Books Week 2024 artwork (Freed Between the Lines). Books and Beyond. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 1,247 censorship attempts in 2023. Here’s the breakdown: 76% Books, graphic novels. 5% Displays. 4% Access (Library closures, funding, bomb threats). 4% Hate crimes (Vandalism, theft of materials representing marginalized groups). 3% Programs. 2% Films. 6% Other. ala.org/bbooks
Books and Beyond
Download

 

Censorship by the Numbers. Image showing a Circle Chart and Banned Books Week 2024 artwork (Freed Between the Lines). Who Initiates Attempts to Censor Books? In 2023, organized pressure groups used their power to try to empty library shelves of all books they deem inappropriate. 28% Partrons. 24% Parents. 21% Pressure groups. 13% Board/administration. 3% Librarians/teachers/staff. 2% Elected officials/government. 9% Other/unknown. Statistics based on 954 cases. ala.org/bbooks
Who Initiates Challenges
Download

Censorship by the Numbers. Image showing percentage of censorship attempts by location and Banned Books Week 2024 artwork (Freed Between the Lines). Where Do Censorship Attempts Take Place? Public library collections came under increased scrutiny in 2023. A significant factor in the increase was that groups who had previously targeted materials in school libraries began bringing challenges to the same titles at their public library. 54% Public Libraries. 39% School Libraries. 5% Schools. 2% Higher Education / Other. Statistics based on 1,247 cases with known locations. ala.org/bbooks
Where Do Challenges Take Place?
Download

 

Censorship by the Numbers. Image showing line graph and Banned Books Week 2024 artwork (Freed Between the Lines). Number of Unique Titles Challenged by Year. Line graph shows sharp spike in attempts starting in 2021. Censorship ON THE RISE. The record-breaking number of unique titles targeted in 2023 marked a 65% increase over 2022. Prior to 2021, the average number of unique titles targeted per year was 273. 2004: 390 unique titles. 2014: 183 Unique titles. 2021: 1,858 unique titles. 2022: 2,571 unique titles. 2023: 4,240 unique titles.
Censorship on the Rise
Download

Image showing the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and Banned Books Week 2024 artwork (Freed Between the Lines). The American Library Association documented 1,247 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2023. Of the 4,240 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2023, here are the top 10 most frequently challenged. 1 “Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit. 2 “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit. 3 “This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit. 4 “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky. Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity. 5 “Flamer,” by Mike Curato. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit. 6 “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison. Reasons: Rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content. 7/8 (TIE) “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins. Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content. 7/8 (TIE) “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews. Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity. 9 “Let's Talk About It,” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content. 10 “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick. Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, rape

Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022

ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 1,247 demands to censor library books and resources in 2023. The number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the highest levels ever documented by OIF in more than 20 years of tracking: 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for removal from schools and libraries. These are most challenged, including reasons cited for censoring the books.

Censorship by the Numbers 2-page PDF

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 PNG

Facebook Share | Facebook Event Cover | Facebook Page Cover

Twitter Share | Twitter Cover

Instagram Share

Image showing the #1 Most Challenged Book of 2023: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.
#1 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork showing the #2 Most Challenged Book of 2023: All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.
#2 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork showing #3 Most Challenged Book of 2023: This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson. Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit.
#3 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork showing #4 Most Challenged Book of 2023: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, druds, profanity
#4 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork of the $5 Most Challenged Book of 2023: Flamer by Mike Curato. Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.
#5 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Artwork showing the #6 Most Challenged Book of 2023: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Challenged for depction of rape and incest; claimed to be sexually explicit; EDI content
#6 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork illustrating the #7/8 (tied) Most Challenged Book of 2023: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
#7/8 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork of the #7/8 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2023: Tricks by Ellen Hopkins. Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content.
#7/8 (tie) Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork of the #9 Most Challenged Book of 2023: Let's Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
#9 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Artwork of the #10 Most Challenged Book of 2023: Sold by Patricia McCormick. Claimed to be sexually explicit, rape
#10 Most Challenged Book of 2023
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Library Social Shareables

Banner announcing this library participates in Banned Books Week, September 22-28, 2024
This Library Participates
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Instgram Stories

Graphic that reads: This Banned Books Week...Read a Banned Book
Read a Banned Book!
Facebook | Twitter | Instgram | Instgram Stories

Graphic that reads: We Read Banned Books
We Read Banned Books
Facebook | Twitter | Instgram | Instgram Stories

Facebook share: Freed Between the Lines. Banned Books Week, September 22-28, 2024. American Library Association
Banned Books Week
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Instgram Stories

Facebook Cover: Freed Between the Lines. Banned Books Week, September 22-28, 2024. American Library Association
Social Media Cover Art
Facebook Page Cover | Facebook Event Cover | Twitter Cover