On the May 5 episode of “Last Week Tonight,” host John Oliver defended public libraries, stating they’ve become another front in the ongoing culture war as many experience attacks on their funding, staff, and collections.

ALA and NBC’s Banned Book Club will discuss Rupi Kaur’s “milk and honey” Thursday, April 25. “milk and honey” is a collection of poetry about love, trauma, and healing. In 2022, it was one of many books that conservative parents wanted banned from public schools in the state of Texas. The book was also banned in multiple school districts in Missouri in 2023.

Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Iowa, California, and Illinois, and words from an author speaking out against book bans in New Hampshire.

Austin (Texas) Public Library has launched a social network to help teens keep access to banned books. The “Save The Books Social Network” brings together teens who are passionate about fighting for the freedom to read and want to see themselves represented in books at the library.

Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Nebraska and Minnesota, as well as a look at the economic impact of book bans.