Libraries stand up for everyone’s right to read, even materials that might be considered controversial. This week, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)—which tracks censorship attempts in libraries and schools—announced their list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2021. Last year, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to …
April 3-9 is National Library Week—a time for library lovers across the country to celebrate literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to information. As the COVID-19 pandemic moves into its third year, libraries are proving to be more essential than ever, providing services and programs that have kept communities strong even while socially distancing. The …
Book challenges and book banning are increasing in libraries and schools throughout the United States. To help spread the word about these activities and efforts to combat them by librarians, parents, students, politicians, and concerned citizens, I Love Libraries will highlight several stories each week on the current crisis. This roundup includes news from Utah, Texas, and …
National Library Workers Day is next Tuesday, April 5. Part of National Library Week, it’s a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers across the country. Show your support and appreciation for the library worker in your life during National Library Workers Day by …
LeVar Burton is a national treasure. The actor, director, and author has engaged and entertained audiences for decades in movies like The Hunter and Ali and on television in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation. And as the longtime host and executive producer of PBS’s Reading Rainbow, he taught a generation of kids the …
Amid the recent upswing in efforts to ban books across the United States, a new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association (ALA) shows that seven in 10 voters oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries, including majorities of voters across party lines. According to the poll, large majorities of voters (71%) oppose …
This is a guest post by Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. We often hear about book bans from the perspective of the banners, but these events affect whole communities, particularly library professionals on the receiving end of accusations and threats. I know because it happened to me …
What It Feels Like to Be a Librarian During an Attempt to Ban Books Read More »
Amy Schneider is an American software engineer and recent Jeopardy! champion. Following an impressive 40-game winning streak (which ended January 26 when Schneider narrowly lost to Rhone Talsma, a librarian from Chicago Ridge [Ill.] Public Library), she became the most successful woman ever to compete on the show. She is also the first openly transgender contestant to qualify for Jeopardy!’s Tournament of …
A Conversation with Jeopardy! Champ Amy Schneider Read More »
This is a guest post by Donna Seaman, adult books editor at Booklist. As we watch Russia’s massive war crimes against the people of Ukraine with horror and helplessness, many questions continue to arise. Reading in a quest for understanding is one way to cope with the terror, outrage, and sorrow. These titles have been …
Book challenges and book banning are increasing in libraries and schools throughout the United States. To help spread the word about these activities and efforts to combat them by librarians, parents, students, politicians, and concerned citizens, I Love Libraries will highlight several stories each week on the current crisis. This roundup includes news from Idaho and North …
