News and Updates

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 Pennsylvania and Florida, as well as news about authors, musicians, and sports figures fighting back against book bans.

As record-breaking high temperatures pummel the United States, many people are turning to libraries to help escape the heat.

Former President of the United States Barack Obama published an open letter July 17 that extends support to America’s librarians in an era of rising book challenges and growing personal attacks against those who resist them.

New York Public Library (NYPL) and Queens Public Library (QPL) are recognizing the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a slew of programs and events, and we're particularly excited about their limited-edition library cards that celebrate the genre and New York City’s role in making it a global cultural movement.

Has a librarian made a difference in your life or gone above and beyond to serve your community? Then show them some love by nominating them for the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award! The I Love My Librarian Award invites library lovers like you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored at a ceremony held in their honor and receive a $5,000 cash award.

Medina County (Ohio) District Library (MCDL) is helping patrons with hearing loss thanks to the American Library Association (ALA).   The library in the northern Ohio town is among the recipients of ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grants, an initiative offers more than $7 million to small and rural libraries to better serve people who have disabilities. MDCL is using its $20,000 award to install hearing loop technology at its location in Medina, Ohio.

Illinois has become the first U.S. state to ban book bans. Governor J.B. Pritzger has signed into law a bill that requires libraries to adopt the American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Bill of Rights, which states that “materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” If the public or school library chooses not to follow these guidelines or similar ones, they’ll lose access to grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

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 Arkansas, Utah, and Connecticut, as well as information about a new Southern Poverty Law Center designation for a far-right organization that supports book bans.