Read and Support Banned Books
Book bans aren't just a national headline. They are happening in Ohio, with hundreds of titles challenged in school libraries across the state. Behind these numbers are librarians, parents, and readers already pushing back in meaningful ways. Whether it's reading a challenged book, supporting its author, or joining the fight locally, your voice can help keep these stories on the shelf.
Why does it matter?
Book bans don't just remove books. They disproportionately silence marginalized voices, cut off access along income lines, and leave young people with fewer mirrors, fewer windows, and fewer chances to build the critical thinking skills they need to navigate a complicated world.
Books are banned because their content is deemed by certain people to be inappropriate or harmful in nature. Often they’re banned due to sexual themes, offensive language, political or religious viewpoints. Some people believe that banning books protects children. Others believe that banning books is a threat to our freedom of speech and that it’s a form of censorship.
Book bans have taken place throughout history, dating back to 213 BCE. A notable book ban took place during the Holocaust, when the German government burned thousands of books written by communists and Jews.
Of the books most commonly banned during the 2023-2024 school year, 44% featured people and characters of color, and 39% featured LGBTQ+ people and characters.
Read this article to understand the history of book bans and place current efforts into a historical context.
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What is happening with book bans nationally?
In the US, book bans usually come about when a group of parents challenge a particular book, whether in a school district or library, for it’s content. This often results in the removal of the book from the library and curriculum. While not a federal prohibition, this happens across the country. PEN America, a civic organization that protects the freedom of speech through literature and beyond, documents bans in 43 states between 2021-2024. They are also following legislation moving through the House of Representatives that would limit making decisions about books at the local level.
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How can you take action in Ohio?
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to fight book bans is to support the authors by buying and reading their books. These authors are often people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Contact and support the Freedom to Read Foundation.
Join the American Library Association (ALA) Unite Against Book Bans.
Red, Wine & Blue, a democratic leaning organization, educates on how books are banned and how you can fight back within your community.
Help an Ohio small business that delivers banned books right to your door!
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What’s happening in Ohio?
The American Library Association tracked 98 attempts to censor 355 books in Ohio between 2021 and 2024, and 7 more attempts affecting 129 books in the past year alone. A separate survey of Ohio school librarians found that of 16 tracked censorship challenges between 2021 and 2024, 8 resulted in an actual ban, and 56% of responding librarians reported experiencing censorship incidents since 2021. State lawmakers have also proposed legislation affecting how "inappropriate" materials are handled in school and public libraries. One such measure was vetoed by Governor DeWine, while related bills remain active.