LGBTQ+ Books on ALA's Challenged List See Regular Checkouts at DC Public Library

Despite controversies and challenges in some jurisdictions, books with LGBTQ+ themes have maintained regular circulation rates at the DC Public Library. From January 1, 2022, the Library has recorded a total of 5,347 checkouts of titles on the American Library Association's (ALA) Most Challenged Books list for 2022.

 

Prominent titles in circulation include:

●      "A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Maas: 2,076 checkouts

●      "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison: 1,095 checkouts

●      "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe: 479 checkouts

●      "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson: 394 checkouts

●      "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie: 314 checkouts

●      "Looking for Alaska" by John Green: 311 checkouts

●      "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky: 221 checkouts

●      "Lawn Boy" by Jonathan Evison: 138 checkouts

●      "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez: 105 checkouts

●      "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews: 97 checkouts

●      "Flamer" by Mike Curato: 95 checkouts

●      "This Book Is Gay" by Juno Dawson: 72 checkouts

●      "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins: 29 checkouts

 

The "Top Ten Most Challenged Books" list is published during National Library Week in April as part of the ALA's State of America's Libraries Report. This report provides an overview of the current landscape of all types of libraries—public, school, and academic. This list is based on the reports received from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban or challenge books in communities across the United States.

 

Book challenges are not an uncommon occurrence. Reasons for challenging a book vary widely, but often include sexually explicit content, offensive language, themes unsuitable for a certain age group, violence, LGBTQ+ content, religious viewpoint, and others. Titles with LGBTQ+ themes have been a focal point in book challenges and attempted bans. In 2022, the ALA documented that more than half of the top 13 most challenged books have LGBTQ+ content. The DC Public Library did not receive any challenges to books with LGBTQ+ themes. 

 

In June, the DC Public Library celebrates Pride which honors queer activists and allies who have fought for the right of LGBTQ+ individuals to live their truth, love freely, and share their stories. The Library is highlighting the importance of celebrating freedom of expression and the freedom to read. To learn more about Library programming, visit dclibrary.org/pride-month-2023