Research

Early chapter books? Easy readers? Whatever you call them, transitional books are key for young students, librarians say.

The incidence of books removed from school library shelves due to a book challenge has risen to 30 percent, up from 19 percent in 2022. The rise in book removals occurred across school levels: elementary, middle, and high schools.

School librarians in 2023 are more likely to decline purchasing certain titles based on the content of those books, according to SLJ's survey. The number of high school librarians naming sexual content has increased significantly, from 60% in 2022 to 75% in 2023.

Twenty-four percent of school librarians have been harassed this past year over books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent SLJ survey, which found the rate even higher among high school librarians, 30 percent of whom have experienced harassment.

The Nation's Report Card shows scores on the reading and math assessments of 13-year-olds dropped four and seven points, respectively, compared to 2020.

More librarians find their work challenging, but most still love what they do, the latest LJ/SLJ Survey shows.

In the past year, school librarians have faced coordinated, hate-filled censorship campaigns that impact available books and collection development decisions. Here, they share their stories.

Our School Libraries 2021 project goes beyond statistics to tell the human story of the profession. With reporting from across the country, we assess the scene from Washington, DC, and Seattle to tiny Crandall, TX, and New York City.

In the November issue of SLJ, we examine the state of U.S. school libraries and librarian ­positions—the fight to preserve the institutions and the vast range of critical services performed by library professionals nationwide.