Public Libraries

Twelve students are suing the Department of Education Activity—the federal school system that runs schools for children of U.S. military members—and the Secretary of Defense for the removal of books from school libraries; Mississippi has removed race and gender databases accessed by public schools and libraries; and more.

Birding is a great way for students and teachers to connect with nature. From citizen science projects and live feeder stations—and books galore—the resources here will help kids learn about our avian friends.

PEN America, the National Education Association, and student advocacy organization SEAT are among those who have filed amicus briefs in support of the school district in the upcoming Supreme Court case; Harry Lerner has died; applications open for Banned Books Week programming grants; and more.

The American Library Association released its data on 2024 censorship attempts, but don't let the lower numbers fool you. The strategy may have changed, but the organized efforts to remove books from shelves remains.

Books to help budding ornithologists explore the world of birds, along with aspects of SEL (social and emotional learning), from persistence to making friends.

In the latest censorship legislation tracker, North Carolina moves to charge librarians with a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a Florida bill seeks to make it easier to remove books and punish schools, while Nevada and Colorado legislators take steps to protect collections.

Schools and public libraries are still navigating the aftermath of devastating flooding and wildfires.

From the loss of Hoopla, databases, and Wi-Fi hotspots to the closing of rural branches, librarians document the devastating effect of the end of IMLS funding.

Several states received notice that their IMLS grants were terminated; the Department of Education demands states sign a certified letter declaring their public schools do not have any programs that could be considered to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion or it will withhold funding.