News & Features

Music mogul Jay-Z is working with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to combat book bans; Ta-Nehisi Coates attended a school board meeting to support a teacher told to stop using his book; President Obama joins public library Tik Toks to spread the message about the importance of access to books; and more.

Moms for Liberty has waged war on public education and democratic values, leveraging fear and disinformation. There are steps to take, including exercising your own First Amendment rights to uphold a just and equitable society.

President Obama released a letter calling book challenges "profoundly misguided and contrary to what has made this country great" and thanked librarians for their "unwavering commitment to the freedom to read."

The Florida teachers' union has its case against the state dismissed, and book banning battles in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Nevada are highlighted in this week's Censorship News.

Laws going into effect in July are creating issues around the country: In Texas, school vendors must now rate sexual content in books sold to districts; Iowa public libraries that share space with school libraries struggle to adapt to new restrictive legislation meant for schools; and large book reviews forced by new law begins in Florida.

In Katy (TX) ISD, a content review for "explicit" materials will stop book purchases and leave already-bought titles in a warehouse; a Florida mom claims I Am Billie Jean King harmed her daughter; and book banning battles in Connecticut and California.

Unite Against Book Bans, the coalition of organizations fighting censorship, which includes SLJ, is asking individuals, authors, organizations, and associations to sign on to the statement and support the freedom to read.

In a keynote conversation to open the conference, Blume discussed decades of fighting for free speech and a lifetime of loving libraries.

While situations may differ, knowing your library display policy and garnering parental support are key steps, says free speech expert Pat Scales.