US saw record book-banning efforts in 2022, library group says

The American Library Association has recorded more than 1,200 attempts to ban or restrict access to books across the US last year [File: Rick Bowmer/AP Photo]

Attempted book bans and restrictions at school and public libraries are surging in the United States and set a record in 2022, according to the American Library Association (ALA).

More than 1,200 challenges were compiled by the association last year, nearly double the then-record total from 2021 and by far the most since the ALA began keeping data 20 years ago.