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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.

A teacher fears students will select "unacceptable" library books.

Pat Scales answers readers' questions and shows how successful defenses of free speech pay off.

Pat Scales fields questions about a student who harasses others over reading choices, a verbally abusive mother, and a principal who lets parents observe class.

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

What do you do when trustees pressure a library to cut summer programming due to book challenges? Pat Scales answers that question and more.  

As censors attack, administrators issue directives; getting ahead of Moms for Liberty; a parent bars his son from the debate team.

Pat Scales explains why understanding terminology will keep LGBTQIA+ books on the shelves; why parents shouldn't have to know what their kids read; and more. 

A school librarian worries about a vocal parent; a public librarian shares concerns about possible challenges; and a trans student takes on the school board.

School librarians ask Pat about possible parental pushback, principal mandates, and political pressure on collections.

A principal forbids students from talking about a challenged book; librarians question reading levels and defend unrestricted library access for children.

How to handle confrontational parents; a principal's reprimand; supporting LGBTQIA+–themed books; and more advice on challenges and censorship.

An elementary librarian feels unprepared for challenges; a Texas librarian is told to purge titles; a principal forbids students to write to their governor protesting book removal push.

Pat Scales answers questions about a recommended booklist; culling biographies for "questionable behavior," and titles that might upset kids in foster care.

Pat Scales answers questions about kids who want challenged books; a parent who objects to fairy tales due to religious beliefs; and a principal sympathetic to students who protest assigned novels. 

Pat Scales answers readers' questions about library staff deselecting materials, the most challenged booklist, and parental complaints about an "offensive" article.

Pat Scales takes on a student teacher who thinks Captain Underpants is inappropriate, parent complaints about comics and horror, and a teacher who is using markers to alter problematic illustrations in picture books.

Questions about the ethics of fines, a public library crowded with kids during the pandemic, and a librarian who doesn't want kindergarteners to borrow books.

Pat Scales fields questions about video read-alouds, the fate of outdated "classic" books, and parents' disapproval of  books about immigration. 

Pat Scales offers advice and opinion on student privacy, tween advisory boards, labeling, and serving students during the pandemic.

Concerns about challenged summer reading during quarantine; Most Challenged Books & LGBTQIA+ topics; banned books that will engage students. 

Facilitating research, public librarians question if school assignments are age-appropriate. 

Enliven lessons by discussing Supreme Court cases and challenged books.

A principal’s effort to limit student speech comes every January.

Censorship expert Pat Scales provides advice on a teacher's claims of a “political hoax,” a warning to avoid books with the N-word, and other challenging situations.

Pat Scales advises school librarians on teachers judging a book by its page count and forcing students to return books above their reading level.

Pat Scales weighs in on challenging reading choices, a library clerk who judges reading selections, and a panel on gun violence.

Parents' concerns about a YA collection; a grandmother questions a Newbery honoree.

Censorship expert Pat Scales fields questions on cultural misrepresentation in fiction, challenged books, and more.