Virginia School Divisions Remove 344 Books, Removals Concentrated in Few Districts

A recent wave of book removals in Virginia school libraries has drawn attention to the growing controversy over library content and the interpretation of state laws. Hanover County leads the state with the highest number of books removed, totaling 233 titles since 2020, including classics like 'Slaughterhouse-Five' and controversial works such as 'Gender Queer' and 'Wicked.' This surge is partly attributed to a 2022 Virginia law requiring parental notification for sexually explicit instructional materials, which many school divisions have misapplied to library books despite the law not governing library content. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) noted that most school divisions have not removed books, with five divisions responsible for 75% of removals, and cited reasons including sexually explicit content, local policies, and developmental appropriateness. Lawmakers and advocacy groups express concern that these removals restrict access to diverse perspectives and reflect political agendas rather than educational considerations. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also been involved in banning nearly 600 books from Defense Department schools nationwide, targeting materials addressing LGBTQ+ and racial issues, further highlighting the national scope of censorship efforts in educational settings.