The EveryLibrary Institute Releases New Report: The Censorship Acceleration, An Analysis of Book Ban Trends After 2020

The EveryLibrary Institute is proud to announce the publication of a groundbreaking new report by researcher Marianne Wood Forrest, "The Censorship Acceleration: An Analysis of Book Ban Trends After 2020." This comprehensive report examines the growing scale, coordination, and political motivations behind the recent surge in book censorship within American schools and libraries.

Since 2020, efforts to censor books have shifted from isolated incidents to a nationwide movement, driven by well-funded political and religious organizations. "The Censorship Acceleration" explores how book bans have become a central tactic in a broader campaign aimed at destabilizing public education, promoting school privatization, and suppressing historically marginalized voices.

“Book bans are no longer simply about individual complaints or local concerns,” stated John Chrastka, executive director of The EveryLibrary Institute. “This report uncovers a sophisticated and interconnected political strategy intended to reshape our educational and cultural landscape. Understanding these underlying forces is crucial if we want to protect intellectual freedom, democratic education, and the future of public libraries."

Download the full report for free from the EveryLibrary Institute.

Highlights of the report include an in-depth analysis of the origins and growth of groups such as Moms for Liberty and Citizens Defending Freedom, an examination of the relationship between book bans, school voucher programs, and the rise of religious political activism, and an original detailed timeline illustrating how pandemic-era discontent was weaponized into a national censorship strategy.

The full report with links to a directory of organizations mobilizing for and against book bans across the U.S. is available for reading and download at: https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/censorship_acceleration_report.Author. Marianne Wood Forrest was a Research Intern at EveryLibrary during the Spring 2025 semester, graduating from the University of Maryland with her MLIS degree in May 2025.

The EveryLibrary Institute encourages educators, librarians, policymakers, journalists, and advocates to review this report and share its findings widely. In an era when public institutions face unprecedented challenges, this report offers vital insights and serves as a call to action for all who are dedicated to defending the freedom to read.