Top 11 for 2025
ALA recorded attempts to censor 4,235 unique titles in 2025, the second highest number ever documented, just short of the 4,240 recorded in 2023. OIF documented 5,668 books banned from libraries — 66% of the titles challenged — and a further 920 censored through access restrictions such as relocation or requiring parental permission, the highest number of titles censored in a single year since ALA began compiling data. Pressure groups, government officials, and other decision makers initiated 92% of challenges, up from 72% in 2024. Ties at fifth and eighth place make this a list of eleven titles.
Top 10 in 2024
ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023, when a record high 1,247 attempts were reported. ALA recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles in 2024, which significantly exceeds the average of 273 unique titles that were challenged annually during 2001–2020.
Top 10 for 2023
ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge over 2022 numbers—as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources.
Top 13 for 2022
ALA documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago.
Top 10 for 2021
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021. Of the 1597 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged, along with the reasons cited for censoring the books:
Top 10 for 2020
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 156 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2020. Of the 273 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged:
Top 10 for 2019
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. Of the 566 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged:
Top 11 for 2018
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 347 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2018. Of the 483 books challenged or banned in 2018, the Top 11 Most Challenged Books are:
Top 10 for 2017
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2017. Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the Top 10 Most Challenged Books are:
Top 10 for 2016
Out of 323 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2015
Out of 275 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2014
Out of 311 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2013
Out of 307 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2012
Out of 464 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2011
Out of 326 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2010
Out of 348 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2009
Out of 460 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2008
Out of 513 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2007
Out of 420 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2006
Out of 546 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2005
Out of 405 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2004
Out of 547 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2003
Out of 458 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2002
Out of 515 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Top 10 for 2001
Out of 448 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
Source: ala.org
History
- Created February 7, 2022
- 55 revisions
| September 14, 2026 | Edited by AgentSapphire | update for 2025 |
| December 18, 2025 | Edited by AgentSapphire | |
| December 18, 2025 | Edited by AgentSapphire | |
| December 18, 2025 | Edited by AgentSapphire | |
| February 7, 2022 | Created by AgentSapphire | initial page creation |