School Libraries

Teachers and students are returning to school this fall amid a lot of uncertainty. But integrating books into the formal curriculum, and making books available for independent reading and enrichment, continues to be fundamental in helping schools achieve their learning and literacy goals.

In a huge legal win for freedom to read and First Amendment advocates, a U.S. district judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. In other censorship news, a Michigan school librarian is suing a parent for an alleged smear campaign against her that led to harassment and death threats.

Leigh Knapp made collection development decisions focused on improving the reading skills of the refugee population at her Milwaukee elementary school and helping the students acclimate to their new surroundings.

The organization, One Word at a Time, will focus on kids 8-15 and run multiple initiatives, including virtual visits from Kwame Alexander and other kid lit authors, as well as a Teacher Study program.

This fantasy-themed TTRPG roundup features games perfect for library programming, where players can step into the boots, paws, or claws of adorable animals and outlandish creatures to work together and save the day.

Florida education commissioner sends letter to schools warning them against using Beanstack; PEN America files new brief in Iowa book ban case; the National Park Service may remove some history books from stores; and more in Censorship News.