Learn about the recent spike in book bans in the United States and what you can do to fight censorship.
On Monday, the American Library Association (ALA) launched Unite Against Book Bans, a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship. Why? Because book bans harm communities. Students cannot access critical information to help them understand themselves and the world around them. Parents lose the opportunity to engage in …
On April 4, the American Library Association (ALA) released the State of America’s Libraries Special Report: Pandemic Year Two, a snapshot of the library community’s resilience, determination, and innovation in unprecedented circumstances. The report, which comes out annually during National Library Week, highlights how US libraries navigated the second year of the pandemic, an upswing …
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 …
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 »
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 …
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 Georgia, Mississippi, New Hampshire, …
Trevor Noah had harsh words for people trying to ban books on last night’s episode of the popular comedy/news program, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. The comedian focused his disbelief, ire, and cutting humor on those driving the current upswing in book censorship efforts across the United States, questioning and criticizing their intentions and …
Libraries stand up for everyone’s right to read, even materials that might be considered controversial. This week, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)—which tracks censorship attempts in libraries and schools—announced their list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2020. Last year, OIF tracked challenges and bans to more than 273 …
