Senate Joint Resolution 251 (2025) directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to survey school divisions about library book removals.

JLARC found:

• Local school boards have authority over school library removal

• Most divisions have school library book removal policies

• Majority of divisions maintain book removal records; few publicize meetings

• Almost two-thirds of divisions reported not removing any library books, but several removed a substantial number of books

• Book removals occurred in all but one region of the state and in divisions of all sizes

• Divisions reported removing 223 unique book titles from school libraries

• Primary reasons for removal were sexually explicit content or local policy

• State provides minimal guidance about library book challenges; divisions had mixed opinions about benefits of more state guidance

• Statute (§ 22.1-16.8) cited as reason for removing many books not applicable to school library book removal; yet divisions have discretion over books.