US public libraries at ‘breaking point’ amid ideological attacks, report finds
Summary
A new report by PEN America says public libraries in the US face many problems like political interference and censorship. These issues include banning books, attacks on librarians, funding cuts, and political control that limits what libraries can offer to the public.Key Facts
- The report is called Out of Circulation and was published by PEN America’s Freedom to Read Project.
- Libraries are experiencing book bans, cancelled events, attacks on librarians, and political interference.
- Books about LGBTQ+ people and topics on gender identity and sexuality are being banned more often.
- Some politically appointed officials are overriding library boards that are elected by communities.
- Examples include Riley Gaines, an anti-transgender activist appointed to a Tennessee library board, who called some books “filth.”
- Laws in states like Idaho and Alabama are giving local governments more power to control libraries.
- Libraries have faced protests, bomb threats, and even physical attacks related to events such as drag shows.
- Since 2021, about 23,000 book bans have been documented in school libraries, and over half of all book ban attempts happen in public libraries.
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