The American Library Association (ALA) has tracked book challenges that attempt to remove or reduce material since 1990. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the challenges hit an all-time high in 2021 with 729 challenges containing a total of 1,597 books. In most years, about 10% of reported problems relate to school or library drop-out or expulsion. However, in 2016, five of the ten most controversial books were removed.The ALA estimates that only 3-18% of complaints are reported to the Office of Freedom of Thought, meaning the actual number of attempted book bans is likely much higher. In 2021, challenges were most frequently raised by parents (39%), followed by leaders (24%), board or administrator (18%), librarians or teachers (6%), elected officials (2%), and students (1st %). Books were consulted most frequently in school libraries (44%), public libraries (37%), schools (18%) and university libraries (1%). Sexually explicit content, offensive language, and “not appropriate for any age group” were the three most common reasons for asking for a book to be removed. According to The Harris Poll, the percentage of Americans who think all books should be banned has increased from 18% in 2011.A 2022 poll found that 71% disapproved of attempts to remove the books, including 75% of Democrats, 58% of independents, and 70% of Republicans.
