Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2026
In December, Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District (OH) removed 36 titles from school library collections. An additional 94 titles were relocated from intermediate and middle school collections to the high school library. Content warning labels indicating either “gender ideology” or “sexual content” were applied to the relocated titles. Parental permission is required for students to access titles labeled with content warnings. Restricted titles include Sold by Patricia McCormick, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. The district indicated that this censorship was undertaken to comply with Ohio House Bill 8, the “Parents’ Bill of Rights.” HB8 makes no mention of school libraries. It pertains solely to materials used in classroom instruction.
2025
Banned or challenged for being sexually explicit and depiction of sexual assault.
The King George County School District (VA) received challenges to more than 100 titles from an individual without a child in any of its schools. The challenges were all copied and pasted from pro-censorship book rating sites. After learning from the challenger that some school library books include gay characters, a local pastor began regularly advocating for book restrictions during board meetings. His son and daughter-in-law are both on the school board. Groups of parents, students, and concerned community members have spoken out against censoring school library books. Despite this, the board restricted access to dozens of titles, including Sold. Restricted books are kept under lock and key at the middle school library, and they are held behind the librarian’s desk at the high school library
2024
Banned or challenged for being sexually explicit and discussing rape.
In February, the Blackhawk Area School District (PA) began banning library books at the behest of two Moms for Liberty members serving on the board. Ten titles, including Sold, were removed without following district policy. On October 19, the board adopted a new policy allowing removal of library books any district resident deems objectionable to their “values or fundamental religious beliefs.” The policy requires removing the books as soon as a challenge is received. The Education Law Center and the American Association of School Librarians sent letters citing grave constitutional concerns and urging the Board to overturn this policy.
2023
Sold was one of 35 titles challenged by a parent in the Council Rock School District (PA) for “sexual content.” While McCormick’s novel was retained, Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home was removed from high school libraries despite the review committee’s recommendation of retaining it.
On These Pages
A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575
Last updated
July 29, 2026