{ "story_id": "5e3b6a3ad7b8851dbcfef913c28480b3", "desk": "drm3", "revision": 1, "published_at": "2026-09-01T14:48:06.000Z", "content_hash": "88c46694637ddf830d8c8866a0d1bc56ff954a1313bd1570cd6afd2926e1d659", "hash_basis": "sha256 over `headline\\ndek\\nprose`, plus `\\n` + the canonical citations JSON when any source is placed, plus `\\n#blog` for blogs", "basis": { "headline": "PEN America report finds US public libraries at breaking point due to censorship", "dek": "PEN America report finds US public libraries at a breaking point due to political interference and censorship.", "prose": "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]\n\nPEN 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]\n\nThe 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]\n\nThe 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]\n\nThe 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]\n\nAdvocacy 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]\n\nState 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]\n\nThe 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. 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