News

‘Freedom to Read ‘Em’: Anne Arundel Libraries declare themselves a book sanctuary

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

via The Baltimore Banner (Maryland)

The Anne Arundel County library system announced it has become a Book Sanctuary, dedicated to protecting books from censorship and educating the public about book ban efforts

Book Bans, Parent Involvement

Alaska authors join fight against banned books with local chapter of fledgling national group

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

via Anchorage Daily News (Alaska)

Authors Against Book Bans has joined the growing pushback by parents, educators, librarians and various organizations seeking to prevent what members feel is a dangerous drift toward reducing the…

School Board – General, Book Bans

Banned Book Week: While some other states restrict works, California bans book bans

Tuesday, September 24th, 2024

via Ventura County Star (California)

Take a look at all the books that are deemed too controversial to read during Banned Book Week starting September 22

Book Bans, Sex Education

Tolkkinen: Should a school board member have to say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Tuesday, September 24th, 2024

via Star Tribune (Minnesota)

Stephen Vigesaa, a school board member in conservative Fergus Falls in west-central Minnesota, has stopped saying the pledge of allegiance, saying it violates his religious faith. He could pay for that in the upcoming election.

School Board – General, Book Bans

Waiting for a flight at LAX? You might be able to read a banned book

Tuesday, September 24th, 2024

via Los Angeles Times (California)

Screens throughout the airport will soon invite people to read a banned book by using a QR code to get a temporary library card.

Book Bans

Republican attorneys general from 17 states join Texas in defending politicians’ right to ban books

Tuesday, September 24th, 2024

via Houston Chronicle (Texas)

Attorneys general will try to convince a federal appeals court that the First Amendment grants elected officials the right to ban books.

Book Bans

Alison Law kicks off ‘Bookmarked’ series with Lois Reitzes on ‘City Lights’

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

via WABE (Georgia)

Alison Law and Lois Reitzes kick off the 'Bookmarked' series by discussing Banned Books Week and one of Atlanta's preeminent festivals celebrating the freedom of ideas and the power of words, the…

Book Bans

It’s Banned Books Week. How to get your hands on challenged books in Oklahoma

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

via The Oklahoman (Oklahoma)

The annual event is meant to bring the book community together in support of literature and the need for having free and open access to information.

Book Bans, Sex Education

Trump-aligned pastor targets Washoe County librarian in online video

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

via KUNR Public Radio (Nevada)

North Carolina pastor John Amanchukwu singled out a county employee for her opposition to book bans. Experts say it's part of a strategy to get evangelical Christians to vote for the former president.

School Board – General, Book Bans

New State Laws Are Fueling a Surge in Book Bans

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

via The New York Times

Two reports from advocacy groups show that book banning continues at higher rates than before the pandemic. Newly implemented state laws are impacting the numbers this year.

School Board – General, Book Bans

As fears over political attacks rise, diverse books disappear from shelves

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

via Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia)

Opinion: The number of books pulled from school and public libraries surged last year, leaving many children and teens unable to see their lives and experiences represented.

Book Bans

Pickens school board seek to quadruple members’ pay, making them among highest paid in SC

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

via The Post and Courier (South Carolina)

The pay jump would make Pickens County board members among the highest paid in South Carolina, according to a survey by the South Carolina School Boards Association.

School Board – General, Book Bans

A dozen books to celebrate Banned Books Week

Saturday, September 21st, 2024

via Arizona Daily Star (Arizona)

Volunteers from the Tucson Festival of Books are sharing their favorite banned books ahead of Banned Books Week.

Book Bans

Under Tennessee’s stricter school library law, some books quietly disappear

Saturday, September 21st, 2024

via Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

Jennifer Edwards was a teenager in Arizona when she first read "Beloved," Toni Morrison's haunting novel about sexual violence and the brutal realities of American slavery.

School Board – General, Book Bans

Banned Books Week 2024 is coming, and here’s what readers should know

Friday, September 20th, 2024

via OC Register (California)

Plus, in The Book Pages this week, author Steve Berry says he recommends every book by this novelist.

Book Bans

This Middle Tennessee county just voted to remove Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved’ and 5 other books from schools. See the list

Friday, September 20th, 2024

via Tennessean (Tennessee)

Ahead of Banned Book Week, the Rutherford County Board of Education voted to remove six books from public school libraries including Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and "Wicked."

Book Bans

‘Woke Campbell Stadium?’ Cal football fans flood social media with memes ahead of FSU game

Friday, September 20th, 2024

via The Palm Beach Post (Florida)

Oski, Karl Marx and a whole lot of AI-generated art: California football fans have been busy in the leadup to their ACC debut vs Florida State.

Racism, Book Bans

Meet the candidates running to represent Johnston, Urbandale in Iowa Senate District 22

Friday, September 20th, 2024

via The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

Incumbent Republican Sen. Brad Zaun faces challenger Democrat Matt Blake.

Book Bans

Middle Tennessee activist named national youth chair of Banned Books Week 2024

Friday, September 20th, 2024

via Tennessean (Tennessee)

Julia Garnett, of Sumner County, was named the national youth chair of Banned Books Week 2024 thanks to her dedicated work to stop book restrictions in libraries.

School Board – General, Book Bans