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Addressing Book Challenges

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Addressing Book Challenges

So, someone is challenging books, and you want to fight back but you don’t know how. Here are some basic steps and resources to help you make a strong case—and help keep books available to everyone in libraries and classrooms.

Master List of Resources

For detailed guidance, select a starting place below based on your role in your community:

Librarians
Teachers
Parents & Allies

Librarians

Graphic with a purple background and text that reads, "Be Aware! Book challenges don't always come when you expect, and they don't always target the books you might think. Here are some things to do before a book gets challenged in your library:"
Graphic with a magenta background and text that reads, "Build Your Case! Depending on the number, try to read all the books being challenged so you know how to respond to challengers. This is not always possible, especially in situations where hundreds of books are being challenged at once."
Graphic with a pink background and text that reads, "Find Your Allies! It is not easy to push back against book challenges alone, so it helps greatly to find allies who can bring their own opinions, experiences, and perspectives to the fight."
Graphic with a magenta background and text that reads, "Push Back (Consistently)! Now that you have the resources, the allies, and the access to experience, it’s time to push back against book challengers using your Selection and Reconsideration Policy."
Graphic with a purple background and text that reads, "Evaluate, Report, Repeat! After a decision is made by the Board of Trustees (school or library), whatever that decision may be, it is important to evaluate the process, see what worked and what did not, and be prepared to repeat the process in the future."
Graphic featuring a pink background and text that reads, "Don’t Self-Censor! It might seem easier to just avoid acquiring certain materials in order to avoid challenges or controversy, but in fact this is another form of censorship, and it proves that intimidation from challengers can keep some books off the shelves."

Additional self-censorship resources:

Graphic with a red background and text that reads, "Listen to Experience! At this point, many librarians have gone up against book challenges, and they are willing to share their experiences and provide advice. Take time to read up on these experiences and consider reaching out with questions."

Additional resources from library professionals:

Teachers

Graphic with a deep purple background and text that reads, "Be aware and proactive! Book challenges don’t always come when you expect, and they don’t always target the books you might think. Here are some things to do before a book gets challenged in your school:"
Graphic with a neon purple background and text that reads, "Find Your Allies! It is not easy to push back against book challenges alone, so it helps greatly to find allies who can bring their own opinions, experiences, and perspectives to the fight."
Graphic with a periwinkle background and text that reads, "Engage With Purpose! Be familiar with the common challenges to the book(s) that are currently under scrutiny. Make sure you have read any materials submitted by whomever is presenting the challenge, as well as any relevant professional reviews, rationales, and other resources."

A toolkit created by the NCAC and NCTE suggests the following steps when a challenge occurs (pp. 9-11):

Graphic with a light periwinkle background and text that reads, "Don’t Self-Censor! It might seem easier to just avoid acquiring certain materials in order to avoid challenges or controversy, but in fact this is another form of censorship, and it proves that intimidation from challengers can keep some books off the shelves."

Additional resources on self-censorship:

  • The NCTE Guidelines for Dealing with Censorship of Instructional Materials includes a portion on self-censorship (what they call indirect censorship):
    • “Indirect censorship occurs when teachers, in an attempt to avoid controversy, self-censor their classrooms, limiting their students’ education, for instance, by restricting the viewpoints and perspectives of authors, producers, and community members that may be deemed controversial.”
  • In “The Censors Are Coming: What You Need to Know,” Jeffrey Kaplan notes:
    • “Teachers must never feel that they should shy away from a controversial book or text or writing – just to play it safe – because they feel that by playing it safe, they will avoid the inevitable.”
Graphic with a sky blue background and text that reads, "Continue Your Advocacy! After a decision is made, whatever that decision may be, it is important to remind yourself, your colleagues, and your students, that you support them and the right to read all year long."

 

  • Report your challenge.
  • Organizations working to provide statistics, produce reports, and create resources need your help. Consider submitting details of book challenges in your community or encouraging teachers and librarians to report book challenges to the following places:
  • Repeat all steps as necessary.

Parents & Allies

Graphic with a neon green background and text that reads, "Be aware and proactive! Book challenges don’t always come when you expect, and they don’t always target the books you might think. Here are some things to do before a book gets challenged at your local schools or libraries:"
Graphic with a sage-colored background and text that reads, "Build Your Argument! Read the books being challenged so you know how to respond to arguments from the challengers. If you are able, request a copy of the paperwork from the school or library so you know what specifically is being challenged in the book."
Graphic with a sky blue background and text that reads, "Find Your Allies! It is not easy to push back against book challenges alone, so it helps greatly to find allies who can bring their own opinions, experiences, and perspectives to the fight."
Graphic with a light cerulean background and text that reads, "Be Active, Be Loud! You don’t want to let the challengers be the only voices heard or it might seem as though they are the voice of the majority. The more voices that stand up to the rhetoric, the better. Here are some ways that you can make your voice heard."
Graphic featuring a blue background and text that reads, "Continue Your Advocacy! After a decision is made, whatever that decision may be, it is important to remind teachers, librarians, and students, that you support them and the right to read all year long."

Master List of Resources