Books & materials are challenged by a variety of people and groups. This graph shows who challenged these books according to complaints reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom.
The number of reported book challenges has nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, and then a sharp decline occurred in 2024.
The American Library Association estimates that 82-97% of book challenges ("silent challenges") go unreported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom. This is for a variety of reasons, including the fear of losing their job, public criticism and attacks, and more. The Top 10 List of Banned & Challenged Books, as well as the information on why they were challenged and who challenged the books, as seen on this page, is based on what is reported to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom. "Public Challenges" are challenges that are reported and verified by a third party.
Most areas challenged are books, but displays, programming, and other areas are also targeted.
