As of August 2022, the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities, and public libraries, is on track to exceed the already record-setting counts from 2021, according to the American Library Association (ALA). This data was released as libraries nationwide joined the ALA to promote the freedom to read during Banned Books Week last September.

Between January 1 and August 31, 2022, ALA documented 681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources, and 1,651 unique titles were targeted. Meanwhile, in 2021, ALA reported 729 attempts to censor library resources, targeting 1,597 books, representing the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling these lists more than 20 years ago.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “It’s both the number of challenges and the kinds of challenges,” she said. More than 70 percent of the 681 attempts to restrict library resources targeted multiple titles. Most challenges are made regarding books intended for young adult/juvenile readers.

ALA Past President Patricia Wong said the ALA supports “individual parents’ choices concerning their child’s reading and believes parents should not have those choices dictated by others. Young people need access to various books from which they can learn about different perspectives. Libraries remain ready to do what we always have: make knowledge and ideas available, so people are free to choose what to read.”

At the Minot Public Library, the decision regarding what items are available to library cardholders is not taken lightly. The Library has a Collection Management policy, which was reviewed, updated, and approved by the Library Board in January 2022. Staff responsible for purchasing items for the circulating collection spend a great deal of time thoroughly reading reviews and analyzing the Library’s existing collection. Additionally, MPL staff always consider the Library mission to be “the center of information and exploration for the community” when making decisions about library services.

“Librarians develop collections and resources that make knowledge and ideas widely available, so people are free to choose what to read. Though it’s natural that we want to protect young people from some of life’s more difficult realities, the truth is that banning books does nothing to protect them from dealing with tough issues. Instead, it denies young people resources that can help them deal with the challenges that confront them,” said ALA President Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada.

Minot librarians explain this by using a simple comparison: “Some people don’t like cats, but that doesn’t mean we’re only going to purchase books on dogs,” said Teen Librarian Pam Carswell.

“However, those who don’t like cats don’t have to check those books out, but they shouldn’t prevent others from accessing the cat books.”

“Books with multiple viewpoints, even (and especially) those we don’t agree with, help us to shape our views and beliefs,” Carswell added. She said that library staff trust people to make their own decisions about what they read and believe.

Author Ellen Hopkins, who authors many books for young adults and has dealt with several challenges to her books, wrote about her experience on medium.com on September 9, 2022. She pointed out that youth have always faced various problems, but in 2022 these problems can be more easily endured. “Today’s kids can find the information necessary to divert them from a bad path, admit they need help or come to terms with who they are. In books.” She says books “equip readers with knowledge, help them identify risks, and make informed choices.”

“Beyond helping young people over their own rocky patches, the books give them insight into other people’s problems,” Hopkins wrote. “Sometimes reading about issues they’ve never faced themselves drives them to want to help others.” Hopkins went on to say, “Books are among the safest spaces for kids to seek the answers they need. Engaged parents might consider reading the same books and opening conversations. Shutting the door, refusing difficult dialogues can only lead to resentment and shame. As I’m fond of saying, ignorance is no armor. Truth is the force field.”

MPL Children’s Librarian, Randi Monley, agrees. “Children need books to be mirrors allowing them to see themselves; windows allowing them to see others’ experiences, and sliding glass doors allowing them to enter others’ worlds.” Monley said this notion was first shared in 1990 by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop and continues to be essential in 2022.

According to a March 2022 poll released by the ALA, these ideas are widely supported by the general public. In this poll, 7 in 10 voters across party lines said they oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries. “Additionally, history has proven that book challenges (or bans) have the opposite effect of what the challenger is expecting,” said MPL Technical Services Librarian Mary Wheeler. “Books that are banned, challenged or otherwise labeled as “controversial” will usually become more popular and see an increase in usage.”

Libraries throughout the country, including the Minot Public Library, stand at the front lines of the fight against censorship and will continue to protect your freedom to read and access information.