Black History, LGBTQIA+ Book Displays Return at Louisiana Public Library | Censorship News

The interim library director in Lafayette, LA, lifted the ban on certain book displays; Florida county gets new, restrictive library cards for kids; legislation to change book review policies moves forward in Idaho and South Carolina; and more news.

Ban Lifted on Book Displays Celebrating Black History, Women's History, Pride Month in Louisiana City | AP
Book displays highlighting Black history, women’s history, or the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQIA+ community have returned to libraries in Lafayette, LA, after being prohibited since 2022.

Revamped Bill to Remove ‘Harmful Materials’ from Libraries Heads to Idaho Senate | KPVI
Idaho legislators advanced a bill that would require public and school libraries to create a review process and to restrict children’s access to harmful materials following complaints.

North Carolina District Removes Tricks from All District High Schools But Keeps Three Other Titles | Mountain XPress
The Buncombe County Board of Education voted unanimously to remove author Ellen Hopkins‘ 2009 novel Tricks. Three other books under consideration—Hopkins’ Perfect, Patricia McCormick‘s Sold,  and Sarah Gruen‘s Water for Elephants—remain on county high school library shelves, based on recommendations from the Buncombe County Schools’ Media and Technology Advisory Committee.

SC Board of Ed Approves Order to Give State Final Say Over Books in Local Libraries | Fox Carolina
Pending approval by the state legislature, the decision to ban books in public schools would rest on the state board.

New Wave of Bills Targeting Libraries is a 'Threat to Our Democracy,’ American Library Association Warns | NBC News
The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.

Author Khaled Hosseini on Book Bans in the U.S.: ‘It betrays students’ | The Guardian
Hosseini’s The Kite Runner has joined a growing list of titles "under review" or challenged by school boards.

How Anarchists in North Carolina Rescued Books Banned in Florida | The Washington Post
A bookshop in Asheville is now sending children’s books back to the Sunshine State.

State Library Board Member Tries to Block Funding for Libraries Suing Arkansas over 2023 Obscenity Law | Arkansas Advocate
Republican ex-lawmaker also asks for a statewide survey of explicit LGBTQIA+ books.

Florida County Parents Can Now Choose What Materials Their Children Can Access at Public Libraries | FOX 13
New library cards at the Hillsborough County Library will be based on a child or teen's age. Different cards will determine what books kids can check out.

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