PEN America's Freedom to Read Project released a report titled 'Out of Circulation' in August 2024, which asserts that ongoing political and public pressures are pushing public libraries across the US to a breaking point. ^[1] PEN America released a study on Tuesday stating that municipal public libraries in the United States are reaching a breaking point due to rising ideological attacks, censorship, and political interference. ^[2] The report cites the example of Riley Gaines, a conservative activist and former collegiate swimmer, who was appointed to a library board in Sumter County, Tennessee, and repeatedly voted against removal of material she deemed inappropriate or sexually explicit, including transgender-themed books. ^[3] The report documents verbal and physical attacks on librarians, disproportionate targeting of literature featuring LGBTQ+ people, and a proliferation of bans on books dealing with gender identity and sexuality. ^[4] The report points to an Idaho law passed in March 2024 that allows city councils to hire and fire library directors, a power previously held by appointed library boards. ^[5] Advocacy groups recorded single-year spikes of up to 4,240 unique book titles formally targeted or requested for removal nationwide, with efforts largely focused on LGBTQ+ identities, race, racism, and historical narratives involving minority communities. ^[6] State lawmakers are introducing bills making public library funding conditional on compliance with content restrictions, while municipal officials are threatening to vote down local tax levies that fund libraries. ^[7] The study documents a sharp escalation in hostile tactics against library workers, including verbal abuse at town hall meetings, physical threats, and doxxing aimed at forcing self-censorship. ^[8]