Neo-Censorship in U.S. Libraries
Lawmakers consider ‘Freedom to Read’ bill as latest attempt to limit book bans in Oregon schools
Proponents point to historic highs in book ban attempts, largely targeting people of color, women and LGBTQ+ communities. Opponents argue it should be up to the parents.
Georgia school librarians could be found guilty of lawbreaking if shelves carry ‘explicit’ material • Georgia Recorder
Georgia is considering a bill aimed at preventing children from accessing explicit library material. Opponents say it would chill free speech
Review of Recent Book Ban Polls and Voter Surveys
The EveryLibrary Institute is collecting and analyzing polling and surveys about book bans, anti-access legislation, and the perception of libraries/librarians to help advocates quickly find and interpret results.
ACLU sues on behalf of librarian fired after opposing book censorship effort
Patty Hector lost job after being targeted by campaign urging restriction of books with race and LGBTQ+ themes
‘Civil rights fight of our time’: new film explores the battle over US libraries
A Sarah Jessica Parker-produced documentary on the brave librarians fighting a wave of rightwing book bans has sparked conversation at Sundance
Uptick in First Amendment Audits | American Libraries Magazine
Libraries are now reporting more aggressive, targeted, and organized First Amendment audits than in years past.
Censorship Beyond Books | American Libraries Magazine
Challenges to nonbook materials -- such as displays, social media posts, reading lists, and programs -- are on the rise. What should libraries do in the face of these attacks?
Judge rules Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians is unconstitutional
A federal judge has struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing so-called “harmful” materials to minors.
Democratic state lawmakers back bills protecting individual freedom to read and think • Rhode Island Current
Democrat Rhode Island lawmakers on Wednesday promoted a suite of bills motivated by the Freedom to Read movement — an assertion of libraries’ right to hold controversial books, amid an ongoing culture clash over the written word.
Beyond Book Banning: Efforts to Criminally Charge Librarians
Both the Indiana and Iowa State Legislatures have introduced legislation regarding criminally charging libraries and librarians over “inappropriate” material. These bills are closely related to widespread book challenges occurring at schools and public libraries across the nation, with people trying to remove books that address certain topics relating to gender, sexuality, and race from library collections. In many cases there is already a clear process for reconsidering materials in a collection, so how do legal defenses play a role in this and what do the bills change?
UMD Researcher Writes a New Chapter for Prison Libraries
Expert Contributes to First Update in American Library Association Standards Since 1992
Banned Books Week starts with mixed messages as reports show challenges both up and down
Two new reports provide a mixed but compelling outlook on the wave of book removals and challenges as the annual Banned Books Week begins for schools, stores and libraries nationwide.
Publishers File Additional Amicus Brief Supporting First Amendment Rights of Llano County Library Patrons in Full Court Rehearing of Little v. Llano County - AAP
On September 10, 2024, AAP and allies filed a second amicus brief in support of Texas public library patron plaintiffs in Little v. Llano County following the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ order of a full court rehearing of its June 6, 2024 decision. That earlier decision largely—but not entirely—upheld a preliminary injunction against the unconstitutional […]
Tracie D. Hall, the librarian speaking out against censorship and book bans that threaten learning and access to information
UW Magazine | University of Washington
Penguin Random House LLC et al v. Gibson et al (6:24-cv-01573), Florida Middle District Court
Penguin Random House LLC et al v. Gibson et al (6:24-cv-01573), Florida Middle District Court, Filed: 08/29/2024
Censorship Throughout the Centuries | American Libraries Magazine
American Libraries travels through time to outline our country’s history of censorship—and those who have defended the right to read.
Book Bans Are Not Just Bad Policy; They Can Raise Civil Rights Issues - ED.gov Blog
By: Matt Nosanchuk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Operations and Outreach, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education All students deserve access to learning environments that are inclusive and free from discrimination and that nurture their intellect, wellbeing, and creativity, preparing them for success in school and beyond. Books have been the gateway toContinue Reading
Book and Media Censorship in Selected Countries - Library of Congress
Freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of the arts are well-known concepts in United States law. The following report provides brief overviews of the treatment of these concepts, with a lens on book and media bans, in 22 different countries.
The US librarian who sued book ban harassers: ‘I decided to fight back’
After Amanda Jones got death threats for speaking out against censorship, she sued her attackers and wrote a memoir
Librarians fear new penalties, even prison, as activists challenge books
Across the country, book bans and attempted bans have soared to the highest levels in decades. Public and school-based libraries have been inundated with complaints from community members and conservative activists.
‘So happy you’re here’: how a librarian became an advocate for mental health
Mychal Threets’ sudden rise to fame as a pusher of ‘library joy’ isn’t over despite his exit from his job to focus on himself
Exposing the Impact of Curriculum and Book Bans: Education for the Public and Not the Few
This webinar discusses the harmful effects of book bans and curriculum limitations and what role the law can play in combating them.
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms That Texas Book Ban Law is Unconstitutional - AAP
Court Ruling Affirms Preliminary Injunction Barring Unconstitutional Book Rating Requirements in Favor of the Coalition of Texas Bookstores, National Booksellers, Authors, and Publishers The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit today affirmed the preliminary injunction of the “Reader Act” (formerly HB 900) granted by Judge Alan D. Albright of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin
Librarians turn to civil rights agency to oppose book bans and their firings
Some librarians who've been fired as they take a stand against discrimination and banning books are turning to a federal civil-rights enforcement agency for help.
Using AI to Comply With Book Bans Makes Those Laws More Dangerous
Using generative artificial intelligence to comply with book bans will further threaten free speech.
How Librarians Became American Free Speech Heroes | Essay
In the Past and Present, They’ve Fought Book Bans and Censorship.
Raskin, Schatz Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing Banned Books Week
The First App to "Help" Libraries and Schools with Book Bans Has Arrived–It's Not What It Seems
BookmarkED claims to help schools and parents navigate book bans. But where and how the app gets is information is a secret.
A WA library might close over book ban fight
A library in rural Southeast Washington could be the first in the nation to close over a fight about removing books. The debate revolves around a group of books in the library’s kids and young adult sections that some residents say aren’t age-appropriate.
Seattle Times reporter David Gutman is here to explain how things got to this point, with some help from life-long Dayton resident John Hutchens.