Public libraries in the United States are encountering significant challenges, as highlighted in a report by PEN America titled Out of Circulation: Expanding Censorship in Public Libraries. The report outlines how libraries are increasingly becoming centers of cultural and political conflict, facing issues that go beyond the banning of books to include operational difficulties, political pressure, and threats to staff. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there were 713 distinct attempts at censorship in 2025, with nearly half of these incidents targeting public libraries. This number marks the highest level of censorship recorded since the ALA began tracking such data in 1990. The report notes that among the 4,235 titles contested in 2025, a significant number—1,671—relate to the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and racially marginalized communities. The 15 most contested books in public libraries primarily addressed issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, with one focusing on race. The methods of censorship have evolved, with books not always being removed but instead being made less accessible through reclassification, warnings, or restricted access. For example, in Rutherford County, Tennessee, two library board members requested that 132 children's books be moved to the adult section due to content related to gender. Librarian Luanne James refused this request and was later fired. Censorship is not limited to books but also affects events and programming in libraries. Programs such as Drag Story Hours, where children's reading sessions are led by drag artists, have been canceled due to protests and threats. In December 2025, the Los Angeles Public Library canceled a meeting between Palestinian author Jenan Matari and American Jewish author Nora Lester Murad after controversy arose from their social media posts. Additionally, some states have used funding as a tool of pressure, conditioning public funding on compliance with certain policies regarding library collections. In Alabama, the Fairhope Public Library faced a funding reduction in 2025 after refusing to reclassify certain books. The increasing politicization of library governance has raised concerns. In Sumner County, Tennessee, local authorities appointed conservative activist Riley Gaines to the library board in 2025, which led to the review of 55 books for possible removal. In Idaho, a law passed in 2026 allows municipal councils to directly hire and fire library directors. Librarians have also faced harassment, threats, and legal risks, with some states considering criminal charges for providing materials deemed "obscene" or "harmful" to minors. Despite these challenges, there have been some successes in resisting censorship. In Florida, candidates supported by the conservative group Moms for Liberty failed in 2026 primaries, and in California, residents successfully prevented a plan to privatize a public library network. According to a survey cited by PEN America, 93% of Americans believe a reduction in public library services would negatively impact their communities, underscoring the importance of these institutions in American society.