The Little Free Library (LFL) nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and PEN America, has released an updated interactive map designed to counteract rising book censorship. This tool overlays data on book bans in schools and public libraries with the locations of Little Free Library book-sharing boxes, providing communities with a practical method to access and share books that have been targeted for removal or restriction. The initiative responds to a documented increase in book bans across the United States, offering a network-based solution for readers seeking to maintain access to diverse literature.
In 2024, the ALA recorded 2,452 unique titles targeted for removal or restriction from school and public libraries. The updated map, first launched in 2024, now incorporates the latest data to highlight areas where censorship is intensifying. State-level data from the ALA and county-level data from PEN America on school bans are integrated into the platform. The map serves as an educational and practical resource, empowering communities to champion intellectual freedom and ensure that books remain accessible, particularly in regions where formal library access is being curtailed.
The collaboration between LFL, ALA, and PEN America underscores a unified effort to address censorship. LFL’s CEO, Daniel Gumnit, has stated that the organization believes “access to books is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of an informed, engaged society.” Sabrina Baêta, Senior Program Manager for Freedom to Read at PEN America, noted that while the rise in censorship attempts is concerning, the partnership with LFL provides a constructive avenue for resistance. The map is part of a broader strategy to support intellectual freedom, leveraging LFL’s extensive network of over 200,000 registered book-sharing boxes worldwide, which includes locations in all 50 U.S. states.
The interactive map functions as a dual-purpose tool. First, it visualizes the geographic spread of book bans, identifying hotspots where censorship efforts are most prevalent. For example, Tennessee experienced a significant increase in bans, rising from 350 to 1,252, which represents the largest increase nationwide. Texas remains a high-ban state, with numbers increasing from 1,469 to 1,512. Other states, including South Carolina, Washington, and Oregon, also saw notable increases. At the county level, Florida continues to be a prominent hotspot. This data, provided by ALA and PEN America, offers a clear picture of the national landscape of book challenges and removals.
Second, the map overlays this ban data with the locations of Little Free Libraries. This allows users to identify nearby book-sharing boxes where they can freely access books, including those that have been banned or challenged in local libraries. By integrating these two datasets, the map provides a direct, community-based response to censorship. Readers can visit a Little Free Library to borrow or donate books, thereby ensuring that banned titles remain in circulation within neighborhoods. This approach transforms passive concern into active participation, enabling individuals to contribute to the preservation of intellectual freedom through local action.
Little Free Library is a well-established nonprofit with a global reach. The organization has over 200,000 registered libraries in all 50 states, 128 countries, and across all seven continents. It has received recognition, including the 2020 World Literacy Award and honors from the Library of Congress and the National Book Foundation. LFL operates several programs to expand access to books, including the Impact Library and Indigenous Library programs, which grant Little Free Libraries full of books to underserved areas. Additionally, the Read in Color initiative champions diverse books, aligning with the broader goal of ensuring that a wide range of voices and stories are available to readers.
The updated map is part of LFL’s ongoing efforts to support communities in the face of increasing censorship. By providing a tool that visualizes both the problem and a potential solution, the organization aims to foster resilience and proactive engagement. The map’s design allows users to explore their local areas, identify nearby Little Free Libraries, and understand the extent of book bans in their communities. This information can be used to inform personal decisions about book donation and borrowing, as well as to support broader advocacy for intellectual freedom.
The collaboration between LFL, ALA, and PEN America highlights the importance of data sharing and joint initiatives in addressing systemic challenges. ALA provided state-level statistics on bans in schools and public libraries, while PEN America contributed county-level data focused on school bans. This combined dataset offers a more comprehensive view than either organization could provide alone, enhancing the map’s utility as a resource for understanding and responding to censorship. The partnership also reflects a shared commitment to protecting the right to read and ensuring that literature remains accessible to all, regardless of local political or social pressures.
For U.S. consumers, deal seekers, parents, pet owners, and sample enthusiasts, the map represents a unique intersection of community action and resource sharing. While the focus is on books rather than traditional consumer freebies, the underlying principle of accessing valuable resources at no cost aligns with the interests of those who seek promotional offers and no-cost trials. The Little Free Library network operates on a model of mutual exchange, where individuals can take books for free and leave others in return, creating a sustainable cycle of sharing. This model mirrors the structure of other free sample programs, where brands provide products at no cost to build brand awareness and customer loyalty.
The map’s functionality is straightforward and user-friendly. Users can visit the interactive platform to explore data on book bans and locate Little Free Libraries in their vicinity. The tool is designed to be accessible, requiring no special software or registration. It serves as both an educational resource and a practical guide, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about how to engage with their local literary ecosystem. By highlighting the proximity of Little Free Libraries to areas with high ban rates, the map encourages proactive participation in the defense of intellectual freedom.
In addition to the map, LFL offers programs that directly address book access and diversity. The Impact Library and Indigenous Library programs provide fully stocked Little Free Libraries to communities in need, ensuring that even underserved areas have access to books. The Read in Color initiative focuses on diversifying the books available in Little Free Libraries, promoting inclusion and representation. These programs complement the map by expanding the network of book-sharing boxes and ensuring that the books within them reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
The release of the updated map comes at a time when book bans and challenges are increasing across the United States. The data from 2024 shows a significant number of titles being targeted, and the trend appears to be continuing or accelerating in many regions. By providing a tool that visualizes this trend and offers a direct response, LFL and its partners are helping communities navigate the challenges of censorship. The map is not just a reflection of a problem but a catalyst for action, turning awareness into tangible steps toward preserving access to literature.
For individuals interested in participating, the process is simple. One can use the map to identify a nearby Little Free Library and visit it to borrow or donate books. Those who wish to start a new Little Free Library can do so through the organization’s website, which provides guidelines and resources for setting up and maintaining a book-sharing box. Donations of books, especially those that have been banned or challenged, can be made to existing libraries or through LFL’s donation programs. This grassroots approach allows for widespread participation and leverages the power of community networks to counteract centralized censorship efforts.
The map also serves as an advocacy tool. By illustrating the geographic spread of book bans, it can inform discussions with local library boards, school administrations, and community leaders. The data can be used to support arguments for maintaining diverse collections and resisting efforts to remove books based on subjective criteria. Furthermore, the visibility of Little Free Libraries on the map can inspire new installations, expanding the network and increasing access to books in areas where traditional library services are limited or under threat.
In summary, the Little Free Library Book Ban Map is a innovative response to the growing challenge of book censorship in the United States. By combining data on bans with the locations of book-sharing boxes, it provides a practical, community-based solution for accessing and sharing banned and challenged books. The collaboration between LFL, ALA, and PEN America ensures that the map is grounded in reliable data and aligned with the goals of promoting intellectual freedom and diverse literature. For consumers and community members seeking to engage with resources that are freely available and shared, the map and the Little Free Library network offer a valuable opportunity to participate in a meaningful, grassroots effort to protect the right to read.