Beaufort, South Carolina, September 17, 2025
News Summary
Beaufort, South Carolina, has taken the lead in book bans, restricting 22 titles across public schools. The bans, driven by parental complaints, have resulted in nine specific books being placed in a limited access section. Despite the restrictions, circulation remains low, highlighting community concerns over educational freedom and censorship. The Beaufort County Board of Education’s recent actions mark a broader trend of increasing censorship in educational materials, reflecting ongoing debates about parental rights and student access to diverse literature.
Beaufort, South Carolina has become the leader in book bans in the United States, having restricted a total of 22 titles from all public school classrooms and libraries. The recent move follows a rising trend of book bans across the state, fueled by parental complaints focused on certain themes and content appearing in school materials.
Among the restricted titles, nine specific books are now housed in a limited access section in Beaufort County public school libraries. To access these titles, students must obtain a permission slip from a parent or guardian. Despite these restrictions, data collected over the past three years shows that these nine books were checked out only 67 times collectively, with Bluffton High School accounting for 51 of those checkouts.
The low circulation rates are notably striking, as students from only five out of 32 schools within the Beaufort County district—serving nearly 21,000 students—borrowed any of the limited access books. This data includes records spanning from August 1, 2022, to June 1, 2025, during a significant wave of book bans in the state.
Background on Book Bans
The Beaufort County Board of Education voted last month to restrict these nine books, marking its first action based on book complaints under South Carolina regulation 43-170. This regulation requires school districts to review and publicly vote on complaints regarding instructional materials that contain descriptions or images of sexual conduct.
More than half of the 22 banned books in South Carolina stemmed from the complaints of a single parent in Beaufort County. Parents are allowed to submit up to five complaints each month if they can show that they have attempted to resolve their concerns with school or district personnel prior to submission.
Details on the Restricted Titles
Among the nine titles that have been restricted, “Thirteen Reasons Why” had the highest circulation with 23 checkouts, while “The Bluest Eye” followed with 16. No other schools in the district besides Bluffton High School showed any circulation for these books. In fact, 23 other schools in the district did not carry any of the nine restricted titles at all. Additionally, six previously challenged books were removed from Beaufort County schools in prior years due to a lack of interest and circulation, and “Like a Love Story” was never acquired for the district’s libraries.
Interestingly, records for “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins, which is included in the state’s list of restricted titles, have not been made available, indicating that students did not check out this book during the evaluated period.
Community Response
The ongoing book ban controversy has sparked significant community engagement. A recent documentary screening titled “Banned Together” highlighted efforts against book bans, showcasing the perspectives of students in Beaufort County. The screening drew considerable attendance from the community, reflecting the continued significance of the book ban issue and the students’ activism.
This move marks South Carolina’s recognition as a leader in the national book ban movement, as reported by data from PEN America. This surge in book bans has ignited debates regarding educational freedom, censorship, and parental rights, raising important questions about the educational resources available to students in public schools.
Summary of Book Ban Facts
- Total books banned in South Carolina: 22
- Books restricted in Beaufort County: 9
- Total checkouts of restricted books: 67
- Schools involved in checking out restricted books: 5 out of 32
- Most checked-out restricted title: “Thirteen Reasons Why” (23 checkouts)
- Highest number of checkouts from Bluffton High School: 51
- Attendance at “Banned Together” screening: significant community turnout
FAQ
How many books have been banned in South Carolina?
South Carolina has banned a total of 22 books from all public school classrooms and libraries, making it the leader in book bans in the country.
Which books are kept behind a restricted section in Beaufort County public school libraries?
Nine specific books are now kept behind a restricted section in Beaufort County public school libraries, requiring students to obtain permission slips from parents to access these titles.
What regulation governs the review of instructional materials in South Carolina?
Regulation 43-170 requires school districts to review and vote publicly on complaints regarding instructional materials containing descriptions or images of sexual conduct.
What was the intent behind the documentary screening “Banned Together”?
A recent documentary screening titled “Banned Together” showcased the fight against book bans from the perspective of Beaufort County students and highlighted the community’s response to the initial removal of 97 books from libraries.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beaufort County School Board Implements Parental Approval for Books
Beaufort County Board Discusses Challenge of Library Books
Beaufort Community Meeting Addresses Challenged Books
Beaufort County to Discuss Challenges on Library Books
Beaufort County School District to Discuss Book Censorship Controversy
Beaufort County Announces Community Engagement Events
Controversial Policy Revisions at Beaufort County School Board Meeting
Controversy Over Book Bans in Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort Hosts Free Legal Empowerment Class
Beaufort County School District Prepares for New School Year
Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Book Banning
- WTOC
- Google Search: Beaufort County book ban
- Live 5 News
- Google Scholar: book ban South Carolina
- WSAV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Book Censorship
- Island Packet
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
