Book Censorship in the U.S.
A look at the concerning increase in book banning since 2021.
A look at the concerning increase in book banning since 2021.
I was inspired to research book censorship during Banned Books Week of October 2023, when I began hearing more about the fierce culture war between school libraries and parent "advocacy" groups. Sourcing data from Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson’s Book Censorship Database, I created a data visualization project exploring why book banning is on the rise. I used R to analyze the data, and created the graphic elements using Flourish and Adobe Illustrator.
This project helped me develop a better sense of information design principles, visual hierarchy, and the importance of iterative ideation.
Data Visualization by Aura Walmer, 2024.
Data Source: Book Censorship Database by Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson.
Why is book censorship on the rise?
While books have historically been challenged by individuals, more recent waves of book banning have been due to organized group efforts. An article from the New York Times points out that parents’ rights groups formed during the pandemic to challenge COVID-19 restrictions, and these efforts extended to additional topics, including “what material students were exposed to in schools.”
In a recent report on book censorship, PEN America highlighted the role of parent- and community-led "advocacy" groups in influencing “public anxiety regarding the types of books students can access in classrooms and school libraries.” Many of these groups have broad reach, with chapters on national, state, and local levels. Some especially influential groups pushing for book bans include Moms for Liberty, Citizens Defending Freedom, and Parents’ Rights in Education.
While books have historically been challenged by individuals, more recent waves of book banning have been due to organized group efforts. An article from the New York Times points out that parents’ rights groups formed during the pandemic to challenge COVID-19 restrictions, and these efforts extended to additional topics, including “what material students were exposed to in schools.”
In a recent report on book censorship, PEN America highlighted the role of parent- and community-led "advocacy" groups in influencing “public anxiety regarding the types of books students can access in classrooms and school libraries.” Many of these groups have broad reach, with chapters on national, state, and local levels. Some especially influential groups pushing for book bans include Moms for Liberty, Citizens Defending Freedom, and Parents’ Rights in Education.
These groups have a shared agenda, jarring rhetoric, and unyielding operations to submit book challenges. This has incited a larger flare ups of book censorship than seen in previous years. PEN America identified a strong positive correlation between school districts with book bans instances and school districts where advocacy group chapters were established nearby (81%). The impact of organized advocacy groups in defining the current censorship trend is undeniable, and truly worrisome.
Where in the U.S. have these book challenges been occurring?
The data visualization below gives an interactive look at book challenge outcomes by U.S. county from 2021 to 2023. Notice the increase in banned and unresolved books.
Click the triangular "play" ▶ button to see the change.
The data visualization below gives an interactive look at book challenge outcomes by U.S. county from 2021 to 2023. Notice the increase in banned and unresolved books.
Click the triangular "play" ▶ button to see the change.
Here's another way to see book challenge outcomes by state.
The data visualization below shows the frequency of book challenges by outcome for each state. It's a clear way to see which states are the highest contributors for each outcome category. Florida is the most dangerous player when it comes to book banning.
The data visualization below shows the frequency of book challenges by outcome for each state. It's a clear way to see which states are the highest contributors for each outcome category. Florida is the most dangerous player when it comes to book banning.
Categories include: banned, overturned, unresolved, unrelated removal, and unknown.