While book bans in school libraries usually generate a flood of headlines, a new poll shows that only a tiny fraction of Americans — about three percent — are personally involved in the debate.

According to a survey by the Knight Foundation, two-thirds of Americans oppose a book ban in public schools, with strong opposition outnumbering strong support by nearly three percent. Confidence in the selection of appropriate books in public schools is high at nearly 80 percent.

In more conservative school districts, however, support for book bans can be stronger. Last week, the board of the Elizabeth School District in Elbert County, which borders Douglas County, voted to remove 19 books from school library shelves after a curriculum committee reviewed the books for things like graphic violence, racism/discrimination, notions of self-harm or mental illness, and sexual content.

The board had initially voted to remove classroom libraries from classrooms, but later instructed the superintendent to wait to make that decision after getting feedback from staff. The issue will be discussed at next Monday’s work session.

A recent University of Colorado study found that Republican districts, which have become less conservative over the past two decades, are more likely to ban books than districts that are solidly Republican. As Elbert County has grown, the percentage of registered Republicans has declined while the number of unaffiliated voters has risen. In recent years, the school board has become more political.

The 19 books that were removed will be displayed outside the district’s boardroom for the public to provide feedback. That will determine what happens to them, including permanent removal, moving to a different grade level, returning to the collection or adding them to a new “sensitive subject” list.

Dozens of books – like “1984” – placed on “sensitive list”

The board also voted to add 100 more books to a “sensitive subject” list. When a student checks out one of these books, such as “The Diary of Anne Frank,” a parent is automatically notified, who can prevent the child from checking out any more “sensitive” books.

“You have a right to know what your child is borrowing,” said school board director Mary Powell. “We need to make sure we protect our students from controversial things.”

Books on the “sensitive” list include The Catcher in the Rye, The Hunger Games, 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird and several books about religion. Powell deemed the books on the list “beyond any educational value.” The school board director said she had difficulty putting books about world religions on the list, but said review board members tried to be aware that not everyone shares the same values.

“Parents who do not want their child to read the Bible should be informed that their child has borrowed the Bible. Parents who do not want their child to read the Quran should be informed that their child has borrowed the Quran,” Powell said.

Staff or parents can submit books to the district for inclusion on this list throughout the year. According to Superintendent Dan Snowberger, books can also be removed from this list after further discussion between community members and the board.

More about the survey

The Knight Foundation has been conducting public opinion polls on attitudes toward the First Amendment and free speech for two decades, using a random national sample of more than 4,500 adults, about a quarter of whom are parents of kindergarten and high school-age children.

The 32-page report provides plenty of detail about exactly what Americans think students should and should not be allowed to read in elementary, middle and high school.

The poll found that most people believe potentially controversial topics should be accessible to middle and high school students, but far fewer feel this way for elementary school students. Even fewer Americans see parents’ moral values, religious beliefs or political views as legitimate reasons to ban books.

Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

While conservatives make up 29 percent of all adults, they represent 57 percent of supporters of book bans, the report says. Fifty-seven percent of conservatives do not believe that the books available in their community’s public schools adequately reflect conservative political views. Democrats, liberals and LGBTQ adults are the biggest opponents of book bans.

Nearly 60 percent of parents at public schools oppose the book ban. That’s less than the 67 percent opposition rate among people who are not parents.

Among respondents, trust in public school librarians and teachers is highest when assessing age appropriateness.

“It is not a book ban”

While the Elizabeth School Board is asking teachers for feedback, it has removed the books it believes may be offensive from its curriculum and will now seek public opinion.

“It’s not a booking ban,” Powell said. “They’re not on our list because we don’t believe they meet the educational protocols that we believe in for this district,” she said.

Superintendent Snowberger said the list of “sensitive topics” will help librarians better target their selections.

“It empowers parents,” he said.

School board chairwoman Rhonda Olsen emphasized that books brought from home may not be shared with other students.

In 2023, 142 titles were challenged in Colorado in 12 attempts to restrict access to books in public libraries, almost as many as in neighboring Utah, a strictly religious state, according to data from the American Library Association.