A special investigation reveals more than half of UK school librarians surveyed by Index have been asked to remove books from their shelves.

Recent conversations around book bans have been previously been heavily focused on the US, where the American Library Association’s (ALA) latest report showed that requests for bans of unique titles increased 65% year on year in 2023.

Many of the books have been targeted because they related to issues of LGBTQ+ communities or race, though the list is broad, including popular classics including Lord of the Flies and To Kill a Mockingbird. Emily Drabinski, the ALA president, called book bans “an attack on our freedom to read”. That’s 4,240 different books being targeted.

Unfortunately we don't track this data in the UK although this investigation by Index shows just how prevalent it is in UK school libraries. Alison Tarrant, Chief Executive of the School Library Association, says the SLA is aware of attempts to censor school libraries, and that the concern is on the minds of members.

“I doubt this is a new phenomenon. And it’s probably been going on for as long as school libraries have existed,” she said. “I wonder whether it’s a symptom of the more polarised society that we’re living in now, and that’s why things have got stronger.”

Although it didn't have a huge sample size, the survey of school librarians by Index on Censorship reveals that 53% of respondents have been asked to remove books from their libraries, with more than half of those requests coming from parents. In 56% of those cases the book or books in question were removed, many of which were about LGBTQ+ subjects. 

This week SoA, CILIP and the SLA issued a joint statement on censorship in school libraries:

"We three organisations respond to censorship in schools and express the need for diverse library collections.

The Society of Authors (SoA), the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), and the School Library Association (SLA) are  concerned by recent evidence of censorship taking place in schools. To promote and protect freedom of expression, it is vital that we foster the conditions for all schools to have diverse and inclusive library collections, and to resist all forms of censorship given its debilitating effects on children’s educations."

Chief Executive of the SoA, Anna Ganley, said:

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and a central tenet of an author’s work and livelihood. We oppose any attempt to stifle or control freedom of expression in our society. As an inclusive trade union with over 12,500 authors, we stand against the marginalisation or censorship of books or their authors on any grounds. We fully support CILIP and the SLA in their important work to ensure that librarians are empowered to provide library collections that meet the needs of their diverse communities."

Chief Executive of the SLA, Alison Tarrant, said:

"We will continue our work to support all school libraries to develop collections which allow pupils to develop curiosity about the world around them through fiction, information and other resources. School libraries have a duty to support curriculum learning, personal development and enable children to develop a sense of the world. This can happen through engaging with stories and information resources to build understanding of similarities and differences.

School library collections are carefully curated with the needs and ages of their users in mind, which provides a safe starting point for information gathering. It is vital that school library staff are supported and have access to training to develop these collections and the policies which underpin them."

Chief Executive of CILIP, Louis Coiffait-Gunn, said:

"Authors, publishers, teachers, school leaders, and librarians all have a duty to work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to discover the wide and wonderful world of reading. That’s especially important for children who may not get such opportunities at home. CILIP’s work on inclusive collections and intellectual freedom helps resist censorship, deliver trustworthy information, and empower learners."

We couldn't agree more here at LoveReading4Kids and LoveReading4Schools. Censorship is a threat to children’s freedom to read, learn, question, and access information. It's critical that they have access to a diverse and inclusive bookshelf.

Here are a few collections to support you in building a school library that caters for all people, and ensure that everyone can find themself reflected in a book.

100 Children's Books that Celebrate Difference

LGBTQI+ Children's Books for Pride Month and Every Month

Refugees - 60+ children's books to raise awareness

Multiculturalism