Welcome to Banned Books In North America
This pathfinder provides resources for exploring the history, reasons, and impact of banned and challenged books in North America. It includes books, articles, websites, and multimedia to help students and researchers better understand censorship and intellectual freedom.
Introductory Materials
These sources give background on censorship in schools and libraries and provide quick overviews of banned titles and the debates around them.
Foerstel, H. (2002). Banned in the U.S.A.: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries.
A detailed look at how and why books have been censored in schools and libraries,
including historical examples. Helpful for background research.
Karolides, N. J., Bald, M., & Sova, D. (2011). 100 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World Literature.
Profiles well-known banned books and the controversies surrounding them. A good source for quick overviews of specific titles.
Search Aids
Search Terms
Book censorship
Banned books
Intellectual freedom
Library censorship
Subject Headings
Censorship — Books and Reading
Intellectual Freedom — Libraries
Freedom of Information — North America
Call Numbers (Library of Congress – LC)
Z657 – Censorship in libraries
Z711.4 – Intellectual freedom
Journals/Periodicals
Library Trends
Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy
Resources
Articles & Databases
key resources, including annual reports on banned books from the ALA and scholarly articles from Academic Search Complete, to support both current awareness and academic research.
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read” – American Library
Association (ALA).
Annual article and report that highlight statistics and examples of book challenges. Useful for staying current.
Academic Search Complete (via EBSCOhost).
A large database for peer-reviewed articles on censorship, education policy, and
intellectual freedom. Best for in-depth academic research.
Reference Works
These sources provide quick background information and reliable overviews of censorship issues.
A comprehensive reference on censorship practices.
Oxford Reference - Answers with Authority
entries on freedom of expression and censorship.
Internet Resources
Credible websites that provide up-to-date information, statistics, and guidance on banned books and censorship. These sites are carefully selected for accuracy and reliability, and are useful for quick reference or supporting research.
A Canadian organization promoting intellectual freedom. The site provides news, educational resources, and guidance on book challenges and censorship in Canadian schools and libraries.
PEN America Banned Books Index
Tracks books that have been challenged or banned in U.S. schools and libraries. Offers statistics, case summaries, and advocacy resources to support freedom of expression.
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
The site includes news, reports, and educational materials on current book challenges and censorship issues in schools and libraries.
Non-print / Multimedia Resources
Resources in formats other than text, such as documentaries, videos, and podcasts. These provide engaging, visual, or audio perspectives on the topic and help users understand concepts in a different way than books or articles.
PBS Documentary – Ban This Book (2021)
Explores the impact of book bans on students, schools, and communities in the U.S., highlighting how censorship affects access to literature and ideas.
The war on books that’s dividing a small town | The Fifth Estate
A Canadian investigative report examining a small town in Alberta where local book bans sparked public debate, illustrating the tensions between community values and freedom of expression.
Books & eBooks
These sources provide both specific examples and broader historical context on the censorship of literature. They highlight how social, political, and religious forces have influenced what books are challenged or suppressed, offering readers a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggle for intellectual freedom.
Karolides, N. J., Bald, M., & Sova, D. (2011). 100 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World Literature.
Profiles well-known banned books and the controversies surrounding them. A good source for quick overviews of specific titles.
traces the history of censorship and forbidden texts across religions, politics, and culture.
Organizations and Special Collections
Both organizations provide resources, reports, and policy guidance to help libraries navigate book challenges and protect the right to read.
American Library Association – Office for Intellectual Freedom
Canadian Federation of Library Associations
Contact us
Feel free to reach out to us with any inquiries or feedback through the contact form below.
This pathfinder was created by a Library and Information Technology student at Red River College Polytechnic as a course project. It is designed to support users in exploring the important and often controversial topic of banned books. Our goal is to provide reliable information and resources that promote intellectual freedom and critical inquiry.
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