What Does It Mean for a Book to Be Banned?

You might hear the term "banned book" used a lot, but what does it actually mean? By simple definition, to ban something means “to prohibit, especially by legal means,” or “to prohibit the use, performance, or distribution of.” The American Library Association builds upon this saying, “A book is banned when it is entirely removed from a collection in response to a formal or informal challenge […] a challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict access to materials or services based on the objections of a person or group.”

However, many of the books that have been banned at certain times or locations throughout U.S. history are still available to the general public in some capacity. You may have seen a banned title at a bookstore. Or perhaps you learned the books you read in your childhood had been banned at some point. You could even be reading a “banned” book you got from the library right now! So, what does it ultimately mean to “ban” a book? And clearly a book ban doesn’t work, right? The answer is—it’s complicated.

Book bans and challenges tend to affect libraries, both school and public, the most, which is why the American Library Association has been promoting “Banned Books Week” since 1982 to raise awareness and advocate for the Freedom to Read. The majority of library institutions have a formal review process when it comes to book challenges (a person or group asking for the removal of an item), and sometimes, these reviews do end in a book being removed from the shelves or access being restricted. 

The role of the library in the community is to provide access to its greatest commodity: materials and resources. The role of community members is to decide for themselves what information they seek. When a book is banned or challenged, the right to that information gets taken away from all community members, including those who might need the information the most. And when access to information is denied somewhere, it sets a precedent that can imperil access to information everywhere. 

At Mid-Continent Public Library, we are proud to offer a broad and diverse collection of materials and resources that reflects the vast and diverse community we serve. Individuals and families are encouraged to make their own decisions on which materials best fit their needs. We stand firmly in support of the Freedom to Read and believe it is essential to achieving our mission of enriching our communities through expanding access to innovation, information, ideas, and inspiration. 

For Banned Books Week 2024, Mid-Continent Public Library is showcasing previously banned books, with each branch featuring a title you might be surprised to find on a list of censored works.