News

Parenting in the age of information (and misinformation, and disinformation)

Saturday, September 30th, 2023

via Arkansas Times (Arkansas)

In a year when Arkansas's librarians are fending off book bans, and an executive order from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders restricts what topics can be taught in classrooms, the battle over information…

Book Bans

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh enters Banned Books Week with more urgent mission

Saturday, September 30th, 2023

via Pittsburgh City Paper, Inc. (Pennsylvania)

The Pittsburgh public library system is using an annual celebration to highlight endangered writing and provide more resources to combat growing book-banning efforts.

Book Bans

New York Public Library launches nationwide campaign to fight unprecedented rise in book bans across the US

Saturday, September 30th, 2023

via New York Daily News (New York)

NEW YORK — The New York Public Library is pushing back against the unprecedented rise in the banning or challenging of books in libraries and schools across the U.S. with

Book Bans

Moms for Liberty is convening this summer in Philly, a backdrop for the group’s focus on ‘preserving American values’

Friday, September 29th, 2023

via The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pennsylvania)

Pennsylvania has the second-most members, next to Florida, where the group was founded in 2021.

Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, Book Bans, School Board – General, Racism

On eve of Banned Books Week, St. Louis-area libraries become battlegrounds in culture wars

Friday, September 29th, 2023

via St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Illinois)

Attempts at book banning are rising and more successful — especially in school libraries — than ever.

Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, Book Bans

Kootenai County sheriff ‘disturbed’ by sexually explicit library books, saying he’d pay to keep them

Friday, September 29th, 2023

via The Spokesman Review (Washington)

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said he was 'shocked' and 'disturbed' at some of the books available to youth at local libraries, and he's been hanging on to copies that he'd rather pay to keep…

Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, Racism, Book Bans

Author in Lincoln to promote his new book while making time for the Huskers

Friday, September 29th, 2023

via Journal Star (Nebraska)

Will Leitch will make a 5:30 p.m. appearance at Francie & Fitch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St., Friday to promote his new book, "The Time has Come."

Book Bans

Kamala Harris brings ‘Fight for Freedom’ college tour to FIU

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

via Orlando Sentinel (Florida)

Vice President Kamala Harris makes Florida International University in Miami the sixth stop on her "Fight for our Freedoms" college tour, and the first in Florida, speaking out on abortion, education, the climate crisis, and voting rights.

Book Bans, Racism

Boston Public Library joins ‘Books Unbanned’ initiative, opening digital collection to teens, young adults across US

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

via The Boston Globe (Massachusetts)

The program, first established by the Brooklyn Public Library last year, allows anyone from age 13 to 26 who lives in the US to obtain a Boston Public Library e-card to check out e-books and digital…

Book Bans

A new front line: The public library

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

via The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pennsylvania)

Parent Involvement, Book Bans

How a Moms for Liberty-aligned attack on library content is upending politics in Philly burbs

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

via The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pennsylvania)

The situation exemplifies how culture-war battles previously playing out across the country in school board meetings have found a new front line: the public library.

Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, Book Bans, School Board – General

As Muslims’ status as political punching bag fades, some are fighting against LGBTQ+ acceptance

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

via Miami Herald (Florida)

For months, hundreds of religious parents have regularly rallied outside a Maryland school board building, aghast at curriculum featuring books that portray LGBTQ+ families to elementary school kids.

Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, Book Bans, School Board – General

Widefield District 3 school board candidates seek more career and technical education options, facility improvements

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

via The Gazette (Colorado)

Three Widefield School District 3 board candidates preached expansion in thought and opportunity and a need for improved facilities at a candidate forum Wednesday night. The candidates are seeking one

Book Bans, School Board – General, Racism

U.S. lawmakers propose resolution on book bans

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

via WBAL-TV 11 (Maryland)

A group of lawmakers teamed up in Washington, D.C., to send a message: stop banning books. One Maryland representative is leading the charge.

Parent Involvement, Book Bans

Tell us: Does your neighborhood have a little free library?

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

via Boston.com (Massachusetts)

Does your neighborhood have a Little Free Library dedicated to craft supplies? Maybe even tennis balls or sticks for dogs? Share with us.

Book Bans

UUSD to discuss favorite banned books Oct. 1

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

via The Cape Gazette (Delaware)

Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will host an in-person discussion forum titled My Favorite Banned Books from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, at 30486 Lewes Georgetown Highway (Route 9), Lewes. The event is free and open to the...

Book Bans

VP Harris visits Morehouse as part of national HBCU swing to rally young voters

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

via GPB Media (Georgia)

In her remarks, Harris spoke about issues like abortion rights, gun safety, voting rights and book bans.

Book Bans

Williams: In Hanover, where education is already political, an elected school board is nothing to fear

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

via Richmond.com (Virginia)

Let's be real: The current appointed system is awash in politics. The Hanover County Republican Committee is leading the charge against the elected school board — an odd anti-vote posture for a political organization, but on brand with the voter suppression mode of the modern GOP. But its arguments to keep the current system don't hold up under scrutiny.

Book Bans, School Board – General