How Book Censorship Affects Young Readers Across Alabama
Story and Header Photo by: Aanya Sheth
Every day, Tuscaloosa City Schools Community Literacy Specialist Carrie Jones sees students discover books that capture their attention and keep them reading. She says access to those books matters more than many people realize. As debates over challenged and banned books continue to grow stronger across Alabama, educators like Jones are asking what happens when young readers have fewer choices on library shelves.
As the issue becomes more prominent, certain titles have been removed, relocated, or restricted in public libraries. Supporters of these measures, such as the group Moms for Liberty, argue that they help ensure age-appropriate content for children. Critics, such as Read Freely Alabama, however, worry that limiting access to books may not only affect literacy development and reduce opportunities for young readers to engage with a variety of viewpoints, but that these measures will also violate the First Amendment.
In 2024, the Autauga-Prattville Public Library faced challenges with 48 individual titles. Similar conversations have taken place in other parts of Alabama as libraries navigate growing disputes over books that address topics such as race, sexuality, and gender identity.
The debate often centers on parental rights, community standards, and the First Amendment. But for literacy professionals, another question remains: what happens when children have fewer books available to them?
According to Jones, reading achievement is closely tied to engagement. Students are more likely to read frequently when they have access to books that reflect their interests, experiences, and curiosities. When those options become limited, educators say students may be less likely to develop strong reading habits.
“Children lose interest in reading or give up quicker when struggling with text if it doesn’t interest them. When students are invested in what they are reading, their motivation increases and they are more likely to persevere,” Jones said.
A vast amount of research supports that sentiment. A 2025 article published by the University of Rhode Island found that reading volume is one of the strongest predictors of literacy achievement. Students who read for pleasure on a regular basis consistently perform better on reading assessments than those who rarely read outside of school. Researchers argue that reducing access to books can decrease reading volume, potentially affecting literacy growth over time.
For many educators, choice plays a major role in keeping students engaged. A child who is excited about what they are reading is more likely to finish books, seek out new ones and develop confidence as a reader.
“Our district has put a lot of effort and investment into increasing the quality and size of their collections to meet student needs. Also, access and achievement are linked. The more you read for pleasure, the better reader you become,” Jones said.
Access to books may also influence how students understand both themselves and the world around them. Educators often describe literature as serving as both a mirror and a window: a mirror that allows readers to see their own experiences reflected in stories and a window into the experiences of others.
“Exposure to different genres, writing styles, cultures and stories matters to developing empathy and kindness in our students. It also helps students see beyond their own experiences and learn about the world around them. I believe that book collections in the classroom and libraries should serve as both windows and mirrors for students,” Jones stated.
While literacy specialists focus on educational outcomes, organizations opposing book restrictions often frame the issue as one of intellectual freedom.
Read Freely Alabama, a grassroots advocacy group, has worked to monitor book challenges and educate communities about library policies. Members argue that restricting access to books raises important questions about who gets to decide what information is available to young readers.
“We believe that a healthy democracy requires the free exchange of ideas, and that equality cannot be achieved where this free exchange is impeded by the financial barriers of private commerce,” the organization’s website states.
Advocates also point to the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and expression, as a key part of the discussion. While legal debates surrounding public library collections can be complex, opponents of restrictions argue that moving or removing books limits access to information that should remain available to the public.
Supporters of restrictions, meanwhile, often argue that the issue is not censorship but age appropriateness. They contend that parents should have greater influence over what materials are available to children and that libraries have a responsibility to ensure content aligns with community expectations.
The disagreement highlights a broader question facing libraries across Alabama and across the country: how should communities balance parental concerns with broad access to information?
Research suggests that access itself matters.
A longitudinal study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics following more than 7,700 children found that early access to books was associated with stronger vocabulary development and reading achievement later in childhood. Researchers concluded that greater exposure to books helps support long-term literacy success, particularly during critical developmental years.
For many advocates, concerns about restrictions extend beyond any single title. Instead, they focus on the cumulative effect of limiting reading opportunities over time.
Supporters of free speech also argue that access to books helps prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Exposure to different perspectives can strengthen empathy, critical thinking and the ability to engage with complex ideas, which are skills many educators consider essential in a democratic society.
“The provision of public libraries is fundamental to maintaining equitable access to information within a democratic society. Read Freely Alabama shall resist any efforts to weaken our public libraries through censorship or defunding,” the organization states on its website.