EveryLibrary’s 10 Most-Read Stories of 2025

In a year marked by book bans and political turbulence, readers turned to libraries for clarity, grounding, and hope. The EveryLibrary articles that rose to the top did more than inform—they sparked conversation, fueled advocacy, and reminded us why libraries remain essential to civic and community life.

Ranked from most-read to tenth-most-read, here are the stories that resonated with readers in 2025.

1. Banned for What?! Some of the Most Absurd Reasons for Book Challenges

This year’s most-read story struck the perfect balance between humor and alarm. Amy Rea highlights real book challenges so absurd they border on satire, including complaints about “naked” crayons and overly affectionate sea horses.

Beneath the whimsy, however, lies a serious warning: Today’s bans overwhelmingly target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices. What begins as head-shaking amusement quickly becomes a reminder that censorship is accelerating, and that protecting the freedom to read is necessary work.

Read the full article “Banned for What?! Some of the Most Absurd Reasons for Book Challenges,” by Amy Rea.

2. United States v. One Book Called Ulysses

Readers were captivated by this deep dive into the landmark obscenity case surrounding James Joyce’s Ulysses. Anthony Aycock vividly recounts the legal battle that established a crucial precedent: Books must be evaluated as whole works, not condemned for isolated passages.

In an era when out-of-context screenshots and single-page “gotchas” fuel modern book challenges, this historical perspective feels especially relevant. The piece illustrates how legal victories of the past continue to shape our defense of literature today.

Read the full article “United States v. One Book Called Ulysses,” by Anthony Aycock.

3. One Hundred Years of Fortitude

Aycock’s second appearance on this list explores the once-famous, now-forgotten censorship of Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy. The story traces the “Banned in Boston” era and the social movements that weaponized obscenity laws to suppress ideas they deemed immoral.

Readers were struck by the parallels to today’s challenges: coordinated campaigns, vague statutes, and outsized pressure on booksellers and libraries. This piece reminds us that censorship does not disappear on its own—it is pushed back by readers, advocates, and the courts , again and again.

Read the full article “One Hundred Years of Fortitude,” by Anthony Aycock.

Sign the petition to fight book bans!

4. How IMLS Funding Cuts Will Impact Prison Libraries

This article brought critical attention to one of the most vulnerable library systems in the country: prison libraries. Lauren Triola explains how proposed cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) would disproportionately harm incarcerated people who rely on library access for education, literacy, connection, and reentry support.

Triola grounds national policy in real examples from Washington and Illinois. Her reporting shows how defunding IMLS threatens institutional budgets. It also puts at risk the futures of incarcerated individuals working to rebuild their lives.

Read the full article “How IMLS Funding Cuts Will Impact Prison Libraries,” by Lauren Triola. 

5. School Library Musings: Good Noise, Good Trouble!

In this joyful celebration of modern school libraries, Connie Williams and Laurie Prothro challenge the outdated notion that the best library is a silent one. Drawing on comments from librarians across the country, they show how today’s school libraries have become lively hubs of collaboration, creativity, and community. In this piece, the “noise” of learning is framed not as a disruption but as evidence of success.

Read the full article “School Library Musings: Good Noise, Good Trouble!” by Connie Williams and Laurie Prothro.

6. IdeaSpace, a Makerspace Unlike Any Other

IdeaSpace, part of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library System, captivated readers with its story of innovation, resilience, and community-building. Tabitha Hilliard details how the makerspace opened during a global pandemic and immediately stepped into service by producing PPE for local medical staff.

Today, the space supports artists, hobbyists, entrepreneurs, and curious beginners with tools ranging from 3D printers to recording studios. The story offers a hopeful vision of what libraries can be when they invest boldly in creativity and community access.

Read the full article “IdeaSpace, a Makerspace Unlike Any Other,” by Tabitha C. Hilliard.

Take action today to support libraries!

7. Why the Public Library Is the Best Third Place

Loneliness is rising, and affordable public gathering spaces are disappearing. In this context, the piece makes a clear and compelling argument: Libraries remain the most accessible and welcoming “third place” in American life.

Drawing on public health research, it explains how libraries support mental well-being, foster connection, and offer comfort—all for free.

Read the full article “Why the Public Library Is the Best Third Place,” by EveryLibrary.

8. Want Safer Neighborhoods? Invest in Libraries

This article approached safety from an unexpected angle: library funding. Citing research on Kansas City’s Woodneath Library Branch and national data spanning two decades, the piece shows a clear correlation between robust library investment and reductions in certain types of crime.

It demonstrates how libraries support safer, more stable communities through lighting, foot traffic, and programming.

Read the full article “Want Safer Neighborhoods? Invest in Libraries,” by EveryLibrary.

9. Surrounded by Chaos? Maybe It’s Time to Mug Up

Kathleen McEvoy’s reflective essay resonated with readers navigating a year of political upheaval and uncertainty. Drawing on examples from aviation, military training, and emergency services, she explores the idea that pausing — “mugging up” — can be a vital act of clarity and self-preservation.

Her call to breathe, regroup, and act with intention offers a grounding counterbalance to 2025’s nonstop firehose of crisis and reaction.

Read the full article “Surrounded by Chaos? Maybe It’s Time to Mug Up,” by Kathleen McEvoy.

Your donations help support libraries across the country. 

10. Libraries Make Life Better — And Now We Have the Data to Prove It

Rounding out the list is a story that translates our everyday appreciation for libraries into measurable evidence. Featuring groundbreaking research from the New York Public Library and the University of Pennsylvania, it shows how library use strengthens emotional well-being, personal growth, and community belonging.

Citing data that reveal high rates of calm, optimism, and resilience among library users, the piece affirms what many people already knew intuitively: Libraries help people flourish.

Read the full article “Libraries Make Life Better—And Now We Have the Data to Prove It,” by EveryLibrary.

Where These Stories Lead Us

Taken together, these stories reveal a powerful truth: Libraries anchor communities, challenge inequity, resist censorship, and offer connection in a time when it is desperately needed.

If one of these pieces stayed with you this year, share it. It might spark a useful conversation with a friend, neighbor, or local official about why libraries matter.

Keep Libraries Strong

If you are ready to take the next step, you can sign petitions, contact your representatives, or support EveryLibrary’s advocacy work directly. Together, we can ensure that libraries remain strong, welcoming, and fully funded for the generations ahead.

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

#librarymarketers: Enjoy this story? Want to use it for your library newsletter, blog, or social media? This article is published under Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International and is free to edit and use with attribution. Please cite EveryLibrary on medium.com/everylibrary.

This work by EveryLibrary is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0