Public Opinion Is Clear: Americans Support Libraries and Reject Book Bans

In just the past few years, there has been a sharp rise in book bans across the country, resulting in the highest number of challenged titles ever recorded by the American Library Association (ALA). Looking at these numbers and the many headlines surrounding book bans, it’s easy to assume that a growing number of people favor censorship over intellectual freedom and the diverse resources libraries offer.

However, the number of challenged or banned titles is not an accurate gauge of the public’s true opinion. In 2025, pressure groups, government officials, and legislative decision-makers initiated 92 percent of book challenges, with fewer than 3 percent coming from individual parents. That means the vast majority of calls for censorship are coming from a very small fraction of the population.

To get a better idea of what the public thinks about libraries and book bans, you have to ask them directly rather than rely on sensationalist clickbait. Several states have done just that. Recently, both Michigan and Texas commissioned statewide polls to assess public opinion on library issues and public trust. These two surveys produced some eye-opening results.

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Michigan and Texas: Two Very Different States

It can be difficult to figure out which way the country leans on an issue when views vary so much from state to state. Michigan and Texas share some similarities, but they are also quite different in many ways.

Michigan is a Midwestern state with a majority of its population descended from Northern Europe. In terms of politics, Michigan was once part of the “blue wall” of states that traditionally voted for Democrats. However, in both 2016 and 2024, Michigan voted narrowly for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, helping him win both elections.

Texas, on the other hand, is a state that blurs the line between Southern and Southwestern. The state has a 40.9 percent Latino population. Politically, Texas has largely voted Republican in presidential elections. However, the state’s heavily populated metro areas have been voting more in favor of Democrats, turning Texas into a more competitive battleground state.

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Two Surveys, Similar Opinions

Given these major cultural and political differences, you would expect Texas and Michigan to hold vastly different views on libraries and censorship. But recent statewide polling shows the opposite to be true.

A 2025 poll commissioned by the Michigan Library Association and conducted by the public opinion survey and research firm EPIC-MRA asked people across Michigan about their views on libraries and book bans. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of libraries and intellectual freedom, with some opinions even improving compared with a similar survey conducted just two years earlier.

According to this survey, 79 percent of the public approves of the work done by Michigan’s libraries—up from 71 percent in 2023. The poll also shows that 75 percent trust the decisions made by librarians when curating collections. When it comes to book bans, 50 percent of residents say books should never be banned from public libraries (an increase from 42 percent in 2023), and an additional 39 percent say there are only rare instances when it may be appropriate.

When the survey explained that libraries divide books by age groups, 84 percent of respondents expressed support for the current age-appropriate shelving policies. Only 4 percent blamed libraries for children accessing objectionable content. A strong majority—85 percent—agreed that parents can set rules for their own children but don’t have the right to dictate what books are available for others.

Another 2025 poll, conducted by KRC Research on behalf of the Texas Library Association, showed similar results. In fact, many of the percentages in favor of libraries were even higher, demonstrating that people across political perspectives and demographics in Texas strongly support libraries and oppose censorship.

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The data revealed that 95 percent of Texans agree that public libraries play a vital role in providing free and equitable access to information, promoting literacy, and supporting workforce readiness. Additionally, 90 percent of participants say libraries should be treated as an essential public service.

When it comes to library collections, 92 percent of Texans believe librarians should ensure collections meet local informational, educational, and cultural needs. And 89 percent say they trust the ability of library professionals to select materials that reflect community needs and interests.

The majority of Texans also believe, at 94 percent, that libraries should provide access to a broad range of information and ideas. Most importantly, 80 percent support offering materials even if some community members strongly disapprove of those titles.

It is clear from these two polls that, across both states, the public overwhelmingly supports libraries, trusts the expertise of library professionals, and opposes book bans. This contradicts the narrative that communities are deeply divided on library issues, a claim built largely by niche pressure groups and exaggerated headlines.

It’s not just these two states that demonstrate public support for libraries and intellectual freedom. Other surveys conducted across the country reveal that the majority of people in the United States oppose book bans and favor libraries. Americans overall reject censorship, and they strongly believe in democratic access to information.

With all the misinformation out there and the increase in book challenges, it’s more important than ever to show your support for libraries and to speak out against banning books. Sign EveryLibrary’s petition to fight book bans, and share this article to help correct public misconceptions about library issues and censorship.

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

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