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Poets Reginald Dwayne Betts and Randall Horton both discovered the transformative power of literature while incarcerated, and both have dedicated their lives since their release to bringing that power to [...]

The article offers a look at three public library systems in the U.S. that have joined with civic partners to establish themselves as book sanctuaries and fight censorship attempts. Cited are a brief background on book sanctuaries, how the book sanctuary distinction makes library staffers feel safer, and initiatives by libraries to further engage the public on the topic of book bans.

THE TROUBLE BEGAN ON JULY 19, 2022, WHEN AMANDA JONES ATTENDED A LOCAL PARISH PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING. Jones, a well-respected school librarian and educator with years of experience, found [...]

The article discusses how intergenerational clubs can help build connections and friendships between different age groups. Topics include the discussion by Totoket Valley Elementary School's (TVES's) book club of the picture book "Mr. Ferris and His Wheel" by Kathryn Gibbs Davis, the Intergnerational Book Club hosted by Arlington (Massachusetts) High School (AHS), and comments from Marci Shapiro-Ide, a social worker from the Council on Aging who co-runs the AHS's club with Stacy Kitsis.

The article discusses the increasing threat of soft censorship faced by school librarians, who feel compelled to self-censor due to growing challenges and controversies around book selections. Topics include the impact on learners, the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and standards, and strategies for librarians to combat soft censorship through awareness, collaboration, and advocacy.

The article emphasizes the challenges school librarians face due to rising censorship attempts, particularly targeting books with BIPOC/LGBTQ themes. Topics include the impact of soft censorship on diverse stories, the misinterpretation of critical race and queer theories, and strategies for librarians to navigate this challenging environment by relying on expertise, data, and community-building.

The article emphasizes the importance of using a data-driven approach to address soft censorship in school libraries, recounting a librarian's experience with an LGBTQ+ book facing bans. Topics include the definition and impact of soft censorship, the role of data in decision-making, and strategies such as relying on book reviews and considering diverse perspectives to ensure a balanced and inclusive collection.

The article discusses the challenges faced by school librarians in Florida due to new laws restricting access to certain books and topics, particularly impacting K-12 education. Topics include the controversial "Don't Say Gay" law, ambiguous regulations on classroom libraries, and instances of book removals influenced by political and ideological motives, posing a threat to intellectual freedom in school libraries.

It seems odd that in 2023 book bans are still a thing, let alone a tactic increasing in frequency and expected to grow over the coming year. (1) In the [...]

In 2014 Mark Troknya wrote an article called 'Challenges of a Rural Library' for for Public Libraries Online. (1) In it, he says, 'urban public libraries ... have almost anything [...]

The article focuses on the increasing challenges faced by librarians in defending intellectual freedom. Topics include the importance of activating networks to garner support, examples of libraries and communities rallying together to defend against censorship attempts, and the necessity for ongoing advocacy efforts to safeguard the freedom to read amidst unprecedented numbers of book challenges.

The article focuses on the increasing prevalence of book bans and challenges in libraries and schools, driven by organized efforts targeting diverse literature. Topics include the alarming trend of book bans affecting marginalized communities, initiatives like "Books Unbanned" providing free access to digital collections for young adults nationwide, and the importance of amplifying messages about intellectual freedom amidst censorship threats.

The article focuses on the alarming rise of assaults on books, writers, and librarians in America. Topics include the personal dangers faced by those defending literary freedom, the decline of local news coverage contributing to unchecked censorship, and the resilience required of writers to continue their work despite escalating threats.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses importance of voter engagement and awareness in the upcoming 2024 elections, including the rise in book banning and censorship and the significance of supporting libraries through subscriptions to Booklist and Booklist Reader.

The article focuses on the growing and evolving form of graphic memoirs and their ability to capture personal narratives while exploring universal experiences and incorporating intertextuality. Topics include the use of visual metaphors in Art Spiegelman's "Maus," intersectional approach to cultural history in Gene Luen Yang's "Dragon Hoops," exploration of gender identity in Lewis Hancox's "Welcome to St. Hell," and the transformative power of books and media in Maia Kobabe's "Gender Queer."

A personal narrative is presented in which the author, who is a school librarian, talks about her proactive efforts against censorship in school libraries, her voice against book banning efforts in her community's public library and harmful effects of censorship on marginalized communities.

An interview with poets Reginald Dwayne Betts and Randall Horton about their work, censorship and access to their literature in prisons, and their hopes for American Library Association's (ALA's) revised "Standards for Library Services for the Incarcerated or Detained," coedited by Horton, is presented. They talk about the impact of incarceration on their development as writers, readers, and library users and the kind of access in the experience of incarceration they hope for the standards.

The article focuses on the intersection of social justice and intellectual freedom, reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings and advocating for a more inclusive approach in libraries. Topics include discussions from the ALA Freedom to Read Foundation's symposium, emphasizing the importance of centering marginalized voices, implementing equitable policies and practices, and fostering collaborations to address censorship challenges while promoting access to information and free speech.

The article offers information on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during Pride Month, due to an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ bills and book bans. Topics include the alarming rise in book challenges targeting LGBTQ+ content; the resistance against these censorship efforts by a coalition of advocates; and a list of empowering books for young readers that provide visibility and role models.

The article offers information related to defeating the censor within schools to hold off stand for youth access to literature in the face of school book bans. Topics discussed include recognizing the new tactics in book banning, being ready to protect the rights and needs of every student, and identifying hostile and dramatic behavior.

Kari Anne Holt is the award-winning author of middle-grade novels in verse, including Rhyme Schemer (2014), House Arrest (2015), and Knockout (2018). She is a frequent speaker at schools and [...]

The article discusses American teens' stand for maintaining intellectual freedom in school libraries and librarians' support for their activism in 2023. Topics covered include attempts to ban books with themes on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ (LGBTQ) and racial justice issues, and on diverse subject matters that youths are dealing with daily, without consulting with students. Also noted are libraries' possible start of teen councils for discussions on book ban challenges.

'The last three years, in particular, have been difficult ones in librarianship, but they are also the ones in which I have felt most committed to the job. The work [...]

An interview with Connie Chung, author of the memoir "Connie" and the first Asian American to anchor any news program in the U.S. and the first woman to coanchor the "CBS Evening News," is presented. Chung discusses her view on whether the industry has improved for women, the role of libraries in her life, and her favorite story in the book.

The article offers news briefs on the American Library Association (ALA) as of July 2024. Topics include the announcement by the ALA that Raymond Pun will not assume the role of ALA president in 2025-2026, the nominations sought by ALA's Nominating Committee for the offices of 2026-2027 ALA president, 2025-2028 treasurer, and 2025-2028 councilors-at-large, and the release by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) of its annual list of Best Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning.

Just as books are sometimes challenged and banned in libraries, schools, universities, and public institutions, other library materials, resources, and services have been challenged, canceled, or dismantled. People's perception of [...]

The article looks at the performance of different U.S. states in terms of the ballot measures implemented that affected public libraries in 2022. In Alaska, Ketchikan Gateway Borough residents opposed Proposition 2, a measure that would prevent funding for Ketchikan Public Library. In California, Measure C was approved by Oakland voters that extended a parcel tax for 30 years. In Connecticut, a 39 million U.S.-dollar-bond was passed to finance construction of the Manchester Public Library.

The article highlights the Intellectual Freedom Summit convened by the American Library Association (ALA) on September 17, 2024 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. to bring together national organizations, publishers, educational institutions, foundations, authors, and other champions in supporting the freedom to read. Topics include purpose of the summit, statement from ALA President Cindy Hohl, and the hosting by ALA of an Intellectual Freedom Summit in 1953.

The article reports on preliminary data by the American Library Association (ALA) documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries through the first eight months of 2024, released during the 2024 Banned Books Week on September 22-28. Topics discussed include attempts to censor library materials and services tracked by ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), statement from ALA President Cindy Hohl, and theme for the 2024 Banned Books Week.

Former public-library director and former executive director of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom LaRue draws on his experiences dealing with roughly 1,000 library-censorship attempts in this thoughtful and inspiring defense of intellectual freedom backed by effective strategies and helpful resources. Adult Books Critical Insights: Censored & Banned Literature. This information-packed title traces the development of public opinion regarding highly controversial free speech issues, exploring government censorship, obscenity, fighting words, student speech, and misinformation. [Extracted from the article]

As authors of newly published young adult books about Palestine, we've been talking with librarians and teachers around the country about how they center Palestinian narratives in their work. Librarians, and especially their unions, need to become informed about the increasing trend in false accusations of antisemitism against librarians, and how they are emboldened by the new, controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) re-definition of antisemitism. [Extracted from the article]