There has been a rise in the number of books being banned, according to reports, the 2023-2024 school year saw a record high of 10,046 instances of book bans across the nation, a 200% increase over the previous year.

Reasons for banning books are clear and listed. It is said by various groups, including some conservative activists, parent groups, and politicians; that if the books are “sexually explicit,” contain offensive language or are not age appropriate, they’ll be banned from the library.

There are people that are working to make sure that others are able to create and publish literature, the same people feel that by banning books, you are prohibiting people from sharing information, ideas, opinions and views. They are called PEN America, founded in 1922. The organization “Stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world,” in their website.

PEN America isn’t working alone though. In their website, they also state, “We work with other organizations that defend the freedom to read.”

Book banning is not new. The first book ever banned happened in 1624, when Thomas Morton, English businessman, came to Massachusetts and published a book about how he didn’t agree with the strict rules and values that Puritans had in place. His book, according to the Saint John’s University website, was later banned because “it was considered a harsh critique of Puritan customs and power structures.”

The majority of people believe that banning books is an offensive and violation of the First Amendment. “Book bans violate the First Amendment because they deprive children or students of the right to receive information and ideas,” said David L. Hudson Jr., professor at Belmont University College of Law, according to the New Jersey State Bar Foundation website.

When asking Monica Kuna, a librarian at Bucks, how book bans impact students and young readers, “It’s been said that the humanities make us more human. We gain empathy and understanding by learning about different cultures and perspectives, even ones that we don’t agree with, struggle to understand, or find shocking.”

She added, “I believe our students should have access to the materials they want to read. Aside from developing critical thinking skills and expanding knowledge, it’s a basic freedom. You don’t have to like the content to respect the right. Like freedom of speech, agreement with ideas should not be the standard for determining what someone can or cannot read or say.”

There are organizations that unfortunately are for the banning of certain books, such as Moms for Liberty, a conservative parental rights group, that has led efforts to remove and ban books they deem “sexually explicit” or ideologically harmful, especially those involving LGBTQ+ themes or racial justice. Tiffany Justice, the co-founder of Moms for Liberty, has said back in July 2023, “Children don’t have unfettered access to everything. That’s not banning books. That’s curating content.”

PEN America are taking action to stop book banning, Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America, said to all in favor of book banning, in Oct. 2025. “What we’re seeing is not just parents expressing concern. It’s a movement to control and suppress ideas.”

They are tracking book bans across the country to advocate against censorship. Furthermore, challenging those that have banned books, in court.

Along with PEN America is an organization called Unite Against Book Bans. One is able to join their campaign through their website and stay updated with news and reports.

Additionally, a statewide survey was sent from the Michigan Library Association. They asked people about book banning and library issues. According to the Unite Against Book Bans website, 82 percent of respondents agreed that “we need to protect the ability of young people to have access to books from which they can learn about and understand different perspectives and help them grow into adults who can think for themselves.”

In conclusion, Kuna doesn’t believe that book banning will come to an end. “In any country where ideas are viewed as dangerous and the public is not trusted to make their own decisions; you will have book bans. Those places continue to exist, so I don’t think it will end,” she said.