#United States #St. Paul #Little Free Library #PEN America #Book Ban Map

New Interactive Map Highlights Book Ban Hotspots

The Little Free Library organization has launched an updated version of its interactive Book Ban Map. This innovative tool highlights areas experiencing rising levels of book bans while simultaneously showing locations of nearby Little Free Libraries where individuals can access a range of books for free.

Overview of Book Bans

The map, developed in collaboration with PEN America and the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, reveals significant data regarding censorship trends across the United States. Since its initial release in 2024, the map has become an essential resource for communities seeking to understand and respond to the increasing limitations on book access.

With more than 200,000 Little Free Libraries established globally, the organization aims to counteract censorship and promote reading as a fundamental right. According to the ALA, in 2024 alone, 2,452 unique book titles faced removal or restrictions in libraries, pointing to an urgent need for advocacy and action.

Key Features of the Book Ban Map

The updated map offers several key features:

• - Color-coded representation: States and counties impacted by bans are visually represented in varying shades of purple, with darker shades indicating higher ban numbers.
• - Interactive hover function: Users can hover over various states to discover the specific number of bans; for instance, Florida shows 767 attempted bans making it a significant location for censorship.
• - Toggle views: Viewers can switch between state and county-level data, allowing for nuanced insights into censorship patterns across different regions.
• - Search capabilities: A convenient search bar enables users to find information on bans specific to any state or county of interest.
• - Identifying Little Free Libraries: Users can zoom in on the map to find Little Free Library locations marked with blue pins. Clicking on the pin reveals the library's charter number, directing users to additional information via the LFL mobile app or web platform.

Escalating Trends in Book Bans

The 2025 data presents several alarming trends in book bans:

• - Tennessee recorded the largest increase nationwide, with bans rising from 350 to 1,252.
• - Texas contains a high number at 1,469, slightly increasing to 1,512 compared to previous years.
• - States such as South Carolina, Washington, and Oregon are also seeing notable uptrends in book censorship.
• - At the county level, Florida remains a hotspot. Clay County was previously leading, but now Polk, Charlotte, and Collier Counties top the list.
• - Iowa has reported alarming spikes, especially in Story County and Iowa County, solidifying the need for community response.

The Importance of Accessing Books

The CEO of Little Free Library, Daniel Gumnit, emphasizes the need for intellectual freedom, urging communities to champion diverse voices and uphold the joy of reading. “At Little Free Library, we believe that access to books is a fundamental right,” Gumnit stated. This sentiment drives the mission of LFL and its commitment to fostering an informed and engaged society.

Collaboration for Change

The Little Free Library map project highlights the cooperation of essential organizations, such as PEN America. Their partnership focuses on voicing opposition to censorship and providing tangible solutions to keep books within the hands of community members. PEN America’s Senior Program Manager, Sabrina Baêta, underscored the cooperation's importance in ensuring broader access to reading materials, saying, “Although it is harrowing to see such censorship attempts sweep across the nation, we must ensure books stay in the hands of our community members.”

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The 2025 Book Ban Map served as both a wake-up call and a resource for communities grappling with book bans. To further explore the interactive experience, individuals can visit littlefreelibrary.org/book-ban-map and engage with this vital initiative to protect readers' rights and promote access to literature.

For anyone passionate about defending intellectual freedom and gaining access to a wealth of literary resources, the Little Free Library’s map is a powerful tool in the ongoing fight against censorship.