Book bans and challenges: April 28, 2026

Here's the latest news on book bans, challenges, and other literary obstacles — as well as on some successful efforts to fight back against them.

• First, the good news: A bill called the Digital Protection Act is under consideration by an Illinois House committee; it aims to stop publishers from limiting library loan periods for digital materials and the number of ebook licenses a library can get (WCIA).

• A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard and A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin are the latest books to be banned statewide in Utah schools and libraries; the list is now up to thirty-four titles (Book Riot).

• PEN America, in collaboration with a coalition of publishers and literary agencies, has launched an author program that offers training and safety resources during the current wave of book bans and harassment around the US (The Associated Press).

• The Canadian Urban Libraries Council is urging lawmakers to reject a bill proposed in Alberta that would enable the government to restrict which materials are available to library users age fifteen and younger (The Canadian Press).