The Office for Intellectual Freedom is processing reports to finalize our number of challenges in 2016 and our annual list of frequently challenged books. We collect information for our challenge database from both media reports and reports submitted by individuals. While we know that many* challenges are never reported, we strive to be as comprehensive as possible.

We would greatly appreciate if you could send us any information on challenges in your state or region that you are aware of from 2016. The final deadline for reporting 2016 challenges to OIF is Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Even if you think we probably already know about the challenge, send it to us anyways. There may be more details we can add to our database. Many times the status is left unknown because the case was reported before there was a resolution, so updates are also encouraged.

Challenges reported to ALA by individuals are kept confidential, and we will cross-check your report with existing entries in the database to avoid duplicates. You may report challenges by filling out and submitting our new online form.

“Better information means better support,” said OIF Director James LaRue. “The new form lets people report things quickly, in their own words. That helps us understand the nuances of their challenges.”

You’ll now find the new online form in ALA’s Professional Tools. In addition to finding information to support educators through a materials challenge and guiding documents to safeguard against censorship, we’ve recorded a webinar that walks participants through the updated resources and answers questions about reporting challenges. But as always, if you have any questions at all, please contact oif@ala.org.

Many thanks for all of your help and support!

*Journalism Students Produce 10-Part Series on Book Challenges in Missouri’s Public Schools and Challenged and Banned Books in Texas Public Schools, 2010-2011