According to the Gannett News Service, the requests are generally from parents, public officials and activists pressing for the removal of books they deem inappropriate. That includes literary classics, human sexuality manuals and, occasionally, even the dictionary. Since 1990, more than 9,600 requests have been put forth to remove books from library shelves, summer reading lists and school classrooms. The actual number is considerably higher because most challenges are handled quietly.

Fortunately, the number of cases in which a book was removed has declined over time, according to Judith Krug, director of the association's office of intellectual freedom. Krug said libraries strive for diversity, not balance. If someone doesn't like what's on the shelf, they don't have to read it, she said. As one parent put it, "How do you expect a child to grow? I'm sorry, you can't hide the outside world from them."

For any democracy, book banning is a scary idea and it's nice to hear that things seem to be improving in this area.