The issue of banned and censored literature has recently gained renewed attention in Sweden. In the United States, citizen groups and lobby organizations have successfully put pressure on the removal of certain books from school libraries. A few similar incidents have also occurred in Sweden. Bans have also recently been imposed by governments, where for example Russia and Belarus use laws against “extremism” or “LGBTI propaganda” to prohibit certain books.

In December 2025, the government tasked KB to investigate how previously or currently banned literature might be made more accessible for research. KB has now submitted its final report to the Ministry of Education.

“We are pleased to contribute in this important area, which is closely connected to KB’s mission to promote freedom of expression and to meet the needs of research. In our final report, we present proposals for measures that strengthen successful initiatives already in place in Sweden. In doing so, we highlight the issue of banned literature from both contemporary and historical perspectives” stated National Librarian Karin Grönvall.

Access to information about bans

KB conducted the investigation into banned literature in close dialogue with stakeholders in Sweden. The final report reveals that researchers primarily need access to reliable information (metadata) about bans, rather than access to the books themselves. Such information includes when, where, and why a ban was first introduced.

KB therefore recommends that the database The Dawit Isaak Database of Censorship (Didoc) External link. be granted national funding for a period of three years. The database enables researchers to explore different bans from a single platform and to contribute relevant articles to the resource. The work is currently ongoing as a pilot project but lacks long-term funding.

Strengthened network around a central database

The Didoc database is supported by a network consisting of the Dawit Isaak Library in Malmö, Swedish PEN, the Gothenburg Research Infrastructure in Digital Humanities (Gridh), and the Forum for Comparative Literature at Lund University (Komplitt). KB also proposes that an appropriate government agency be given funding to promote and expand this collaboration.

Resource library to increase knowledge

KB recommends that a national resource library for banned literature be established. The resource library will play a key role in promoting knowledge among school and public libraries across the country, while also supporting research, for example through monitoring and analysis of developments in the field.

This is an area in which the Dawit Isaak Library in Malmö is already actively engaged, albeit without a formal national mandate. The library collects and makes available literature and other media that have been banned or censored around the world. KB therefore proposes that it also be given the formal role of a resource library.

Sweden has a strong profile in the field

In its final report, KB notes that Sweden has a strong profile in this area, which could become even stronger under the right conditions.

“We are a stable country where working with banned literature does not pose a security risk. Therefore, Sweden has the opportunity to serve as a global hub for this type of research. We should take on that responsibility” according to National Librarian Karin Grönvall.

Read the full final report

KB’s final report outlines the findings of the government assignment about giving access to prohibited and censored literature for research purposes. It examines the field from historical, legal, and contemporary perspectives, mapping existing research and initiatives both in Sweden and internationally.