Access restrictions track policy decisions that affect book access without targeting specific titles. These include program defunding, library budget cuts, and service eliminations — as well as protective policies that expand or defend access. Distinct from content-based bans.
For title-specific removals and challenges, see documented bans.
Defunding, budget cuts, closures, and service eliminations.
Grossmont Union High School District, CA
GUHSD in CA faces multiple lawsuits alleging anti-LGBTQ agenda, accompanied by library budget cuts reducing collections and services.
Indiana
Indiana proposed eliminating $4M state allocation in 2025. Shifted to private fundraising led by governor's wife; fundraising goals not met; no state match guaranteed for 2025-2026.
Washington
Washington eliminated state contribution entirely in latest budget, reversing last-minute restoration from previous year.
Grossmont Union High School District, CA
In March 2025, Grossmont Union High School District's board voted to eliminate all 9 teacher-librarian positions (part of a broader 49-teacher layoff). Licensed teacher-librarians were replaced by library technicians who lack teaching credentials. Subsequent (October 2025) reporting documented reduced library hours, limited study-space access, and loss of research-assistance capacity. The 9 eliminated librarians filed an April 2026 lawsuit alleging the layoffs were retaliation for providing LGBTQ+ resources and creating welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ students (see related lawsuits record).
Grossmont Union High School District, CA
Per private board texts surfaced in Public Records Act response (DocumentCloud 25975404), board majority directed staff to 'freeze all library funds and micromanage all library purchases' with the stated goal of 'making a process, which would be impossible for woke books to be adopted.' This constrains new library acquisitions rather than removing existing titles. No specific books have been publicly documented as banned/removed under this directive.
Kentucky
Proposed reducing state match dollar-for-dollar → one-third match. Would have eliminated 80% of county programs. Full funding restored after advocacy.
California
California state funding attempts characterized as 'bungled' — failure to allocate/distribute rather than deliberate cut.
Policies that expand or defend public access to books.
1 protective policy tracked; most access changes are restrictive.
Central York School District, PA
June 2023 policy: age-based categories, parents can restrict only THEIR OWN child's access, returned 2 removed books, PROHIBITED banning library books entirely. First district in York County to do this.
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