NYPL Statement on New ALA Data Showing Record-Breaking Book Challenges in 2023

Media Contact: Leah Drayton, leahdrayton@nypl.org 

March 14, 2024—Statement below from The New York Public Library (NYPL) President Anthony W. Marx about data released today that showed book challenges surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the highest level ever documented by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. 

Statement from New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx:

“It is clear that the freedom to read, so essential to our civic life, democracy, and intellectual freedom, is under attack. As an institution devoted to making information freely available to all, we are of course concerned and incredibly disheartened at these alarming increases, particularly since the data shows that many of these challenges are specifically targeting public libraries. But I would also urge all Americans to take note and be equally concerned about these challenges from a vocal minority. We all must play a role in protecting our basic freedoms, including what to read about, what to learn, and what stories can be told. Thank you to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) for tracking these challenges, and being a leader in this fight for our democratic ideals. To all distressed by this latest news, know that together we are powerful and can stand for the freedom to read. In the short-term, I urge everyone to head to their local library and check out some books that have been subject to bans. Reading is a super power.” 

In Sept 2023, the NYPL launched “Books for All,” its largest anti-censorship campaign in history. “Books for All” includes a teen banned books club that provides unlimited access to select young adult titles that have been the subject of bans and/or challenges to anyone via the Library’s SimplyE app. The current book featured is The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee. Books for All is the Library’s latest banned books campaign and builds on ongoing efforts to fight censorship. As part of “Books for All,” the Library partnered with the American Library Association (ALA), and the impactful Unite Against Book Bans' campaign ALA founded, to help reach teens outside of NYC.