These graphs below are based on figures are pulled from the American Library Associations “Challenge Database”, which currently has 10,676 book challenges on record. A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. An actual banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.
You will notice that if you add up the numbers of challenges by reason or initiator, the total will be greater than 10,676. This is because many challenges have multiple reasons or initiators.
