School Sparks Outrage by Banning Nearly 200 Books with AI Excuses
A Greater Manchester secondary school has caused uproar after axing around 200 books from its library—using artificial intelligence to whip up bizarre reasons. The purge targeted famed modern literature, sparking a scandal that slammed the school librarian’s career into ruins.
Library Shutdown Triggers Safeguarding Storm
The drama broke in November 2025 when the headteacher demanded the removal of Laura Bates’ Men Who Hate Women, a key nonfiction study on incel culture. The book got the chop for supposedly exposing misogyny, despite being shelved in the teenage section.
The entire library was then shut down under the guise of a “temporary safeguarding measure.” The librarian was investigated and ordered to yank any book considered “inappropriate,” upsetting, or not aimed at children. She told Index on Censorship, “I was absolutely gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”
AI Creates Wild Book-Banning List
The school handed the librarian a list of 193 banned books, with removal reasons generated by AI. The school claimed the classifications were “broadly accurate” but many critics disagree.
- 1984 (graphic novel) flagged over torture and sexual coercion themes
- Twilight banned for “mature romantic themes” and vampire violence
- Becoming by Michelle Obama condemned for racism and political content
- The Notebook banned due to “romantic drama about enduring love and memory loss”
- Other cuts included Terry Pratchett’s Soul Music, Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and Alan Rickman’s Madly Deeply
Librarian Blamed and Career Destroyed
Reported to the council as a safeguarding risk, the librarian faced gross misconduct threats. She took sick leave for stress and eventually resigned. Despite the fact some books had manager approval or were purchased by others, the council held her responsible for “inappropriate content.”
Caroline Roche, chair of the School Libraries Group, condemned the school’s actions as “over the top” and warned the librarian’s involvement in safeguarding proceedings “means she’s unlikely to work in any school again.”
Free Speech Charity Sounds the Alarm
Index on Censorship called the case “an unprecedented attack on the freedom to read and intellectual freedom.” They slammed the lack of clear statutory guidance, leaving librarians powerless against headteachers’ unchecked censorship.
The school has refused to comment on the controversy.
