Virginia is one of the top states in the nation for book bans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Nearly 400 book titles were targeted for bans in Virginia libraries last year, among the most in the nation, according to new data from the American Library Association (ALA).
Why it matters: Some of the most targeted books deal with themes of social justice, discrimination and inequality, which can diminish access to viewpoints and cause harm, according to the ALA.
By the numbers: Nationally, 4,240 different titles were targeted for censorship last year, compared with the previous record of 2,571 in 2022, Axios' Jennifer Kingson reports.
- Virginia had the fifth-most challenged titles in the country at 387 — and more than any other state on the East Coast, except Florida where there were 2,672.
- 182 titles were challenged in Virginia in 2022.
Caveat: ALA considers its tally a snapshot, noting its list doesn't include book challenges that were not reported to the group or covered by the media.
The intrigue: The number of overall censorship demands dropped slightly nationwide and in Virginia, going from 35 to 25, suggesting book challenges are increasingly coming in bulk from small, coordinated efforts, per the New York Times.
- 60% of book challenges nationwide were filed by just 11 people in the 2021-2022 school year, Washington Post found.
Flashback: Last year, Hanover County removed 19 books from school libraries without input from parents or teachers before creating a library review panel.
- Earlier this month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill aimed at reigning in school boards' ability to act without parental or teacher input.
Threat level: Opponents of targeted books are going beyond schools and putting more pressure on public libraries, per ALA.
- The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries rose by 92%, versus 11% at schools.
Reality check: Banned books often get a circulation bump.
- "A Court of Mist and Fury," for example — the most challenged book title in Virginia in 2022 and 2023 — was one of the most borrowed books from Richmond Public Libraries last year in both audio and written format.
- And last year a Hanover County Girl Scout created "Banned Book Nooks" inside local businesses where titles banned by the county can be borrowed by anyone — for free.
Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify that the Hanover County school board removed 19 books from school libraries without input from parents or teachers before creating a panel, which removed 75 books.
This story was corrected to note that a committee that included at least one parent created by the Hanover School Board removed some books from school libraries.