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| Challenged Books | Banned Books |
| A group or person wants a book removed from a library or school. | A challenged book has been brought before a board or a group of people acting with authority, who agreed with the challenge and make the decision to remove it from a library or school. |
An individual or a group of people may not agree with the content of the book based on political, religious, or other reasons. They strongly believe that the book should be removed and not accessible to others as a way to protect them, often children, from difficult, controversial, or offensive ideas or information.
There are groups of concerned citizens, librarians, school teachers, parents, etc. who fight challenges and attempts to ban books. Most challenges are not successful and the book is usually put back in the curriculum or the library. Decisions are always made on a local level. There is not one central authority that deals with banned books.
The Office for Intellectual Freedom is housed under the American Library Association (ALA) and receives reports of challenges and decisions to ban books throughout the world. These reports are compiled and communicated publicly in order for the public to know about censorship attempts in schools and libraries.
The ALA condemns censorship. For more information about challenging and banning books, see the pages of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom.
“Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance.” —Lyndon Baines Johnson, February 11, 1964
National Council of the Teaching of English (NCTE) offers a webpage on Intellectual Freedom Center: "NCTE recognizes that the freedom to read and other components of intellectual freedom are vital to literacy and our mission. Through the Intellectual Freedom Center, NCTE has for many decades offered guidance, tools, and other support to teachers faced with challenges in classrooms and schools pertaining to texts (e.g., literary works, films and videos, drama productions), student writing, and/or to teaching methods." This site also has other resources and research reports for teachers of English.
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) promotes the freedom of thought, inquiry and expression. NCAC envisions "an American society that understands, values, defends, and vigorously exercises free expression in a just, egalitarian, diverse, and inclusive democracy". The website offers resources and the latest news for teachers, parents, students, artists, school librarians, administrators, activists, etc.
Banned Books Week is a sub-site from the American Library Association's stand on censorship and book bans. This site includes news and events that can help teachers and school librarians prepare for the annual Banned Books Week celebration in September, including resources for teachers.
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