News and Updates

On the morning of Sunday, June 9, Woodstock (N.Y.) Public Library received a bomb threat via email. The library had hosted a drag story hour the day before.

Amanda Jones, one of the first librarians in the US to file a defamation lawsuit against her detractors, received death threats, online harassment and bullying, and more after making a speech against book censorship at her local library board in July 2022. Jones is telling her story in her debut memoir, “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning,” which will be released later this summer.

In episode five of “How I Library,” I Love Libraries editor and show host Phil Morehart speaks with Ethan and Maya Hawke about “Wildcat,” their new film about author Flannery O’Connor. They discuss bringing O’Connor to the big screen, as well as their thoughts on book bans and censorship, their book recommendations, and, of course, how they 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 Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, and Idaho.

Congratulations to librarian Abby Mann for her win on the May 28 episode of “Jeopardy!” A digital scholarship librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Ames Library, Mann came from behind in Final Jeopardy! to put an end to graduate student Amar Kakirde’s four-game winning streak, winning $5,200 in the process. Mann will defend her title against a teacher and an archivist in a new episode airing tonight.

This Memorial Day, we’re remembering those who have served in the U.S. armed forces throughout American history by exploring the various military and veterans collections at libraries across the U.S. They’re fascinating—and sobering—histories that reveal incredible stories of bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice.

For AAPI Heritage Month, the American Library Association/NBC Banned Book Club will discuss Khaled Hosseini’s acclaimed novel, "The Kite Runner." Hosseini’s book has faced numerous bans and challenges since its release, rooted in Islamophobia and claims that it promotes sexual violence and terrorism.

Glenn Stout’s 2009 book “The Young Woman and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World” tells the story of the American Olympic-medal-winning swimmer who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. And it’s now a new feature film from Disney starring Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle. “It will take you on an incredible journey,” Ridley said in a special message she recorded for I Love Libraries. “Just like all the wonderful stories you can find in libraries do.”