Efforts to remove books from public and school libraries have been increasing nationwide. According to PEN America, a non-profit that champions the freedom to write, there was an unprecedented surge in book bans during the latter half of 2023.Here in Colorado, a battle has been playing out in Garfield County, where some community members have been calling for the removal of certain books from public libraries. They have been lobbying the Garfield County Commissioners to override the library board and take action. Now the Commissioners are at odds with the library board. The commissioners are planning on appointing candidates for three open positions on the Garfield County Libraries Board of Trustees, despite the library board already reappointing two trustees. Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Maeve Conran spoke with Amy Hadden Marsh who says what’s happening in Garfield County is part of a national trend.