Banned and Challenged Books

• First Amendment/U.S. Constitution 

  Content of the First Amendment, United States Constitution, and related resources from the National Constitution Center.

• First Amendment and Censorship 

  Statements and policies; core documents; guidelines; and publications from the American Library Association.

What is Censorship?  (Content from the American Library Association Website)

Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that some individuals, groups, or government officials find objectionable or dangerous.  Would-be censors try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, on everyone else. Censors pressure public institutions, like libraries, to suppress and remove information they judge inappropriate or dangerous from public access, so that no one else has the chance to read or view the material and make up their own minds about it. The censor wants to prejudge materials for everyone.  It is no more complicated than someone saying, “Don’t let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it!”

“Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.” — Article 3, Library Bill of Rights

Featured links to information and resources on intellectual freedom and censorship

ALA Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A

ACRL Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries

NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center