Public Libraries

A PTA president seeks to cull dictionaries featuring “offensive words”; a parent inquires about safe ways her LGBTQIA+ son can fight censorship; a school board expresses no confidence in librarians to make book selection decisions.

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While it’s well known that summer reading provides benefits well past summer, perhaps the greatest benefit of summer reading for kids is choice. In fact, trusting kids to pick their own books is essential. And publishers of children's books provide a plethora of choices for summer reading.

Genre-blending books offer readers the opportunity to comfortably expand across boundaries and try something different while still in the safety of their preferred reading choice. Here are 14 middle grade graphic novels that blend genres to perfection.

Teens signing up for the Books Unbanned program at Brooklyn and Seattle Public Libraries shared their reasons for wanting the library card, while some of their peers discussed the impact of blocked websites, and an expert panel in Pennsylvania discussed the harm caused by restricting access to books.

The report released today examines more than 4,000 book bans in 52 public school districts in 23 states from July to December 2023. 

Teamwork, competition, and the glory of team sports drive these graphic novel stories for elementary through high school readers.

Emily Drabinski shares the impact of personal attacks and those on libraries across the country; librarians fear new, punitive laws; Alaska school book removal lawsuit goes to federal court; and more in Censorship News.

On Take Actions for Library Day, the American Library Association announced its "Reader. Voter. Ready." campaign to increase library advocacy and civic engagement in advance of the November 5 elections.