- Request
-
1) Please provide data regarding the number of challenges to books received by your library/libraries for each calendar year between 2018 and 2024, plus so far in 2025.
For this request, a book challenge is defined as a formal complaint requesting that materials be removed from a library because of its content or alleged inappropriateness.
a) For each year, please provide the number of books challenged.
b) For each book challenged, please provide:
* The title and author of the book challenged * The reason (if any) provided for the challenge *
c) The action taken in response to the challenge
- Decision
-
1 a-c. Regarding books being banned/removed Lincolnshire’s Libraries stance is:
Material is not rejected or taken from public view because it is controversial as Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) do not censor, and of course inclusion in our collection does not imply endorsement of a work. The CILIP guideline is followed:
"The function of a library service is to provide, as far as resources allow, all books, periodicals etc. other than the trivial, in which its readers claim a legitimate interest. In determining what a legitimate interest is, the librarian may safely rely on one guide only – the law of the land. If the publication of such matter has not incurred penalties under the law it should not be excluded from libraries on any moral, political, religious or racist grounds alone, to satisfy any sectional interest”
Where it is zero - LCC has not had any formal complaints that would constitute the challenge described.
2025 to date - 0
2024 - 0
2023 - 1
Date: 26.9.23
Title/author: Grandad’s Pride by Harry Woodgate
Challenge reason: Illustration of man wearing leather underwear
Action taken: Reply sent apologising for any upset caused explaining that the library service stock caters for a wide range of reading tastes and understands that parents and guardians will want to make their own choices about which books they choose to read with their children.
2022 – 0
2021 - 2
Date: 31.8.21
Title/author: Marvel Super Hero Adventures: To Wakanda an Beyond by Jim McCann (Author), Dario Brizuela (Illustrator)
Challenge reason: Book inappropriate for children’s collection as it contains astral projection and witchcraft themes
Action taken: Reply sent apologising for any upset caused explaining that the library service stock caters for a wide range of reading tastes and understands that parents and guardians will want to make their own choices about which books they choose to read with their children.
Date:26.8.21
Title/author: The Black Dress by Deborah Moggach
Challenge reason: Graphic descriptions of sexual acts
Action taken: Reply sent apologising for any upset caused explaining that the library service has to cater for a wide range of reading tastes
2020 – 0
2019 - 1
Date: 09/12/2019
Title/author: Sea of Love by Susan Donovan
Challenge reason: Use of foul language
Action Taken: Reply sent apologising for any upset caused explaining that the library service has to cater for a wide range of reading tastes
2018 - 1
Date: 5/03/2018
Title/author: Duchess of Drury Lane by Frieda Lightfoot.
Challenge reason: Detail of sexual exploitation of young actress by leading actor
Action taken: Reply sent apologising for any upset caused explaining that the library service has to cater for a wide range of reading tastes
- Reference number
- 12212037
- Date request received
- 15 April 2025
- Date of decision
- 7 May 2025