A recent survey by Index on Censorship has revealed a growing trend of book censorship in UK schools, particularly affecting LGBTQ+ titles. Over half of school librarians surveyed reported receiving requests to remove books from their collections, with 53% of those requests resulting in books being taken off the shelves. Many of the flagged titles include This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson, Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, and ABC Pride by Louie Stowell, Elly Barnes, and Amy Phelps. More than half of these removal requests came from parents.
The rise in censorship within UK schools appears to echo similar trends in the US, where book bans reached unprecedented levels last year, targeting diverse and LGBTQ+ literature. Alison Tarrant, chief executive of the School Library Association (SLA), expressed concern about the impact on librarians and the pressures they face in dealing with censorship requests.
“There’s a lot of concern from some of our members,” said Tarrant, noting that librarians are under intense pressure to handle complaints, as they often receive conflicting opinions on which books should be available. The emotional toll on school librarians, who may feel isolated in their roles, is significant.
To address this growing issue, the SLA recommends that schools adopt comprehensive collection development policies. These policies should outline the procedures for dealing with complaints, specify the criteria for book selection, and define the objectives of the school library. Tarrant also called on senior school leaders to recognize the importance of these policies and provide adequate support and training for librarians.
With censorship issues quickly becoming large discussions, it’s crucial for school libraries to have clear guidelines and support to ensure diverse books remain accessible to all students.