American library unit sees gain against censorship

Although attempts to ban books from school libraries have risen sharply, a recent Supreme Court decision and heightened public awareness of the issue make the American Library Association confident that censorship can be curtailed, an official said.

Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said her office handled 300 annual complaints in the late 1970s, but now receives more than three times that number. But she pointed out she is increasingly optimistic about the work of the ALA and others to challenge censorship efforts.