Book Challenges - What tops the list?

 ISO 3864-1 prohibition sign via wikipedia

Public libraries are places for contemplative study, for entertainment, for meeting and sharing of ideas. Not just some ideas, not just some points of view, but as many of each as possible. Public libraries are meant to represent the views of ALL people in their communities and therefore any individual using one may run into ideas that are in opposition to his or her own.

This is NOT a bad thing. This is a good thing. Libraries are "safe" venues to be exposed to other view points and other ways of thinking. What's harsh, crass, or offensive to one person may be matter of routine to another. To "not be offended" is a dangerous and increasingly common reason for blocking, censoring, and otherwise trying to suppress ideas that run contrary to one's own. It is generally attempted and justified in the name of sparing the "innocent" from a perceived harm if an idea is shared.

Here's a good summary of a portion of this years American Library Association "State of America's Libraries Report" concerning works that are challenged most often:

http://boingboing.net/2015/04/14/ya-graphic-novels-books-by-p.html

In some ways this might not be a surprising list, but it is a never ending battle that librarians fight on your behalf. Bottom line is that we believe you know best what is appropriate for you and your children. This is why we, as librarians, encourage learning with , reading with, and visiting the library with your children.