School Libraries Archives
Joint Statement: Massachusetts Library Organizations Stand with Librarians Against Censorship and Intolerance
Here’s the Full Text of a Statement From: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) The Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) The Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) Book challenges in Massachusetts’ school and public libraries have quadrupled in just one year*, mirroring the surge the American Library Association has reported nationwide. Challenges […]
Iowa Governor Signs Education Law on Book Bans, LGBTQ Teaching
From the Des Moines Register: Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a sweeping education law that orders the removal from schools of books that contain sex acts and restricts teaching about LGBTQ topics. Iowa Republican lawmakers combined several of their top priorities for education into the wide-ranging Senate File 496, which Reynolds signed in a private event […]
Report: “Massachusetts Librarians Under Attack Amid Record Number of National Complaints and Challenges”
From Boston.com: The number of book challenges – or attempts to remove or restrict library materials – for libraries in Massachusetts quadrupled between 2021 and 2022, according to data from the American Libraries Association. This comes from self-reported data at school and public libraries. In 2021, there were 10 challenges reported to ALA by member libraries in […]
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EveryLibrary: “Landmark Civil Rights Agreement Over Book Bans in Forsyth County (GA) Schools”
(UPDATE May 22, 2023): Full Text of Statement: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Resolves Investigation of the Removal of Library Books in Forsyth County Schools in Georgia —End Update— From an EveryLibrary Post/Statement): EveryLibrary applauds the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights for pursuing an investigation of the Forsyth County […]
PEN America, Penguin Random House File Lawsuit Against Florida School District Over Unconstitutional Book Bans
Here’s the Complete Statement From PEN America: Free expression organization PEN America, alongside publisher Penguin Random House, authors, and parents of children affected by the unconstitutional book bans carried out by Florida’s Escambia County School District and School Board, filed suit today in federal court asking for books to be returned to school library shelves where they […]
LA Times: Two Florida Moms are at the Center of the Fight Against Book Banning in America
From The Los Angeles Times: The tattoos on Jen Cousins’ arms speak to literacy and how books can take on us on trips across strange and extraordinary universes: an owl for wisdom, a drawing from the novel “Wonder,” multicolored glasses from Harry Potter and a saying from one of her children: “The world is only what you shape it […]
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Illinois: First-in-the-Nation Legislation to Prevent Book Bans Approved by General Assembly as Bill Passes Senate, Governor Expected to Sign
From the Illinois Sec. of State: Landmark legislation designed to prevent book banning passed the Illinois Senate, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today. HB 2789, which now awaits the Governor’s signature, sets a nationwide precedent in the fight against book bans, as libraries and librarians face unprecedented censorship of books and resources, including in […]
Report: “Behind Closed Doors, Indiana Lawmakers Finalize Bill to Ban Books From School Libraries”
From WYFI: The Indiana legislature approved a controversial bill Thursday that centers on what books students should and should not have access to in school. The final version of the legislation was largely decided behind closed doors. Under House Bill 1447, school districts and charter schools are required to publicly post their library catalogs and establish […]
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The Seattle Public Library Joins Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned to Fight Censorship with Free Card For Youth
Here’s the Full Text of an Announcement From the Seattle Public Library: The Seattle Public Library is joining Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned initiative to fight censorship and book banning by offering teens and young adults across the nation free access to the books in its digital collection. Youth ages 13 to 26 who live […]
Report: “Library Directors in Arkansas Express Worry Over Limits of Law Regulating Access to Certain Books”, AG Says New Law Does Not Apply to E-Books and Audiobooks
From the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Arkansas’ attorney general said on Friday that a law creating a new offense for “furnishing a harmful item to a minor” does not apply to e-books and audiobooks despite concerns from the head of the Central Arkansas Library system over whether thousands of items in digital libraries remain vulnerable to […]
