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CHICAGO – A newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used a survey methodology to examine self-censorship of controversial topics in collection development. Articles can be accessed for free at .

In the recently published “To Add or Not to Add: An Examination of Self‐Censoring Behaviors among School Librarians,” Jennifer Moore and Alissa Tudor present a study examining collection development and self-censorship amongst school librarians. The researchers collected data via surveys, and examined which controversial or frequently challenged topics school librarians chose not to collect.

This research found that amongst controversial topics, there were high amounts of self-censorship around books that dealt with sexual content, abortion, and self-harm. Respondents who had never experienced book challenges in their school libraries expressed reluctance to include books that involved sexual content and LGBTQ themes or content. The researchers emphasize the importance of a censorship-free collection because “the decision to engage in self-censorship harms students the most, as they are often left without the voices of story protagonists with identities readers share or plots exploring experiences that may help students cope with their own lives.”

The researchers acknowledge the limitations of a small sample size, and a self-reporting bias on this particular topic, as well as an acknowledgement that an increasing number of libraries may have less agency over their own collection development in the future.

School Library Research (ISSN: 2165-1019) is the successor to School Library Media Research (ISSN: 1523-4320) and School Library Media Quarterly Online. The journal is peer-reviewed and indexed by H. W. Wilson's Library Literature and by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology. It welcomes manuscripts that focus on high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.