#book-bans
#book-bans

Attempts to Ban Books Accelerated Last Year

Book bans and censorship efforts are at record levels, with 4,240 titles targeted for removal in 2023.

Conservative groups like Moms for Liberty and Utah Parents United are playing a role in politicizing and organizing censorship efforts. [ more ]

Truthout

E-Books Can Subvert Book Bans, But Corporate Profit-Seeking Stands in the Way

Record e-book lending for libraries has led to profits for OverDrive. Book bans and removals from libraries are on the rise with 158 bills introduced in 2023. [ more ]

morelibrary-challenges

libraries

BOOK RIOT

1 month ago

You're Wrong About These Common Myths About Book Ban: Book Censorship News, March 22, 2024

Misconceptions about book bans stem from a lack of information, not intentional misinformation.

Book bans can drive students away from libraries and limit their access to reading materials. [ more ]

Axios

Book bans? Make that "intellectual freedom challenges"

Attempts to ban books at public libraries have surged, sparking a culture war and legislative battles.

Legislators in some states are pushing back against book bans and supporting librarians in defending intellectual freedom. [ more ]

NBC Boston

4 months ago

Lawmakers weigh standard to guard access to library books

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are proposing a bill to protect books from being removed from public spaces based on personal or political views.

Book bans have been increasing in the country, with Massachusetts ranking fourth in attempts to remove books from shelves in 2022. [ more ]

Advocate.com

Ayanna Pressley Introduces Bill to Counter Book Bans Nationwide

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduces the Books Save Lives Act to combat book bans in schools and libraries.

The bill aims to ensure diverse book collections, enforce civil rights, and study the impact of book bans on underrepresented communities. [ more ]

Advocate.com

Book ban attempts surge to record highs in 2023

Attempts at book censorship increased significantly in 2023, with 4,240 titles targeted, marking a 65 percent rise from the previous year.

Books representing LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color accounted for 47 percent of those targeted in censorship attempts. [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

All aboard RuPaul's Rainbow Book Bus

RuPaul partnered with Allstora for a Rainbow Book Bus delivering banned books.

Allstora plans to hand out 10,000 books from the bus on a year-long tour. [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

Protestors interrupt a Moms for Liberty's "fascist" book banning meeting

Protestors interrupted a meeting held by Moms for Liberty (M4L) in Maryland, aiming to ban LGBTQ+-inclusive books from school libraries.

Protestors wore rainbow-colored garlands, flags, and signs with messages like 'Books not bigots,' 'Only fascists ban books' during the disruption. [ more ]

PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news

Kids book Hooray for She, He, Ze, and They! celebrates identity amid LGBTQ+ book ban

Celebration of gender identity through pronouns in Amer's book

Book acts as a guide to discuss gender identity with children and normalize conversations on the topic. [ more ]

Electric Literature

8 Literary Book Titles Likely to Rile Book Banners - Electric Literature

Book bans are on the rise in various states, targeting materials with LGBTQ+ themes, race, or sex depictions.

Some school districts are using AI to identify materials that depict sex in response to bans. [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

Ayanna Pressley introduces "Books Save Lives Act" to fight anti-LGBTQ+ book bans

Rep. Ayanna Pressley has introduced the "Books Save Lives Act" to combat book bans targeting books on racial and LGBTQ+ issues in public schools and libraries.

The bill would require federally funded libraries to maintain diverse book collections and classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights laws. [ more ]

The Atlantic

The Black-History Books Teachers Hope Won't Be Banned

Black History Month serves as an essential opportunity for educators to introduce diverse perspectives to students.

Conservative lawmakers are leading efforts to restrict discussions and books pointing to racism in America. [ more ]

HuffPost

Rep. Ayanna Pressley Wants To Take Down Book Bans With New Bill

Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced the Books Save Lives Act to combat conservative book bans on topics of race, gender, and sexuality.

The bill aims to classify these bans as federal civil rights violations and require schools and libraries to include books from diverse authors and topics. [ more ]

The New Yorker

When Your Own Book Gets Caught Up in the Censorship Wars

Tennessee's CRT/Age Appropriate Materials Law banned a book about George Floyd from being read or distributed at a high school.

The law in Tennessee prohibits teaching concepts that imply an individual is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, and that the state or the US is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist. [ more ]

Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Writers of Banned Books Speak Out - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

The 2022-2023 school year has seen an increase in book bans and censorship in classrooms and school libraries in the US.

Nearly 700 attempts to ban books were made in the first eight months of 2023 alone. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Justin Torres, Author of Blackouts,' Wins National Book Award for Fiction

Finalists at the National Book Awards called for a cease-fire in Gaza during the ceremony.

The ceremony also focused on the power of literature and the dangers of book bans and censorship.

Oprah Winfrey spoke about the importance of diverse voices in literature. [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

Book banners came for this Colorado town. They didn't anticipate resistance.

Residents in Douglas County are fighting against book bans at the county library.

Conservative activists targeted books such as 'All Boys Aren't Blue' and 'The ABC's of Gender Identity' for promoting 'demonic narrative' and 'physically impossible' relationships. [ more ]

Advocate.com

Pink to Hand Out Thousands of Banned Books at Florida Concerts in Partnership with PEN America

Pink will distribute banned books at her Florida concerts to take a stand against book bans.

Florida has banned the most books in public school classrooms and libraries compared to other states.

PEN America has sued the Escambia County School District in Florida over book bans. [ more ]

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Gay City News

1 week ago

NYC LGBT

Rainbow Book Fair draws full house at LGBT Center

The Rainbow Book Fair in New York City is the largest LGBTQ book event globally. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

3 weeks ago

Blue states push back strongly against book censorship

The movement to ban book bans is gaining momentum in several states, aiming to protect diverse literature and prevent censorship. [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

4 weeks ago

California lawmakers reject bill to let parents sue schools that don't ban 'harmful' books

California lawmakers voted down a bill requiring book bans in schools, citing concerns of government overreach and censorship. [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

1 month ago

Ron DeSantis says new law limiting book challenges will stop liberals from abusing the system

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an education bill limiting book challenges in Florida schools, allowing only parents to challenge multiple books. [ more ]

www.npr.org

1 month ago

Report: Last year ended with a surge in book bans

PEN America reported an unprecedented surge in book bans in 2023, with over 4,000 instances in six months. [ more ]

Slate Magazine

College Students Don't Know How to Read Anymore. We're in Denial Over How Bad It's Gotten.

Book bans are a serious issue in Republican-controlled states, motivated by bigotry and causing harm.

Defeating book bans is not enough, students also need the skills to engage meaningfully with books. [ more ]

Above the Law

Texas Library Censorship Attempt Struck Down By 5th Circuit

Texas legislation aimed at restricting or banning 'sexually explicit' books in public school libraries likely violates the Constitution, according to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

The court's decision is seen as a victory for free expression and allowing parents to make decisions for their own children without government interference. [ more ]

PublishersWeekly.com

'Authors Against Book Bans' Mobilizes

Authors Against Book Bans aims to fight against the erasure of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices through a coalition of prominent authors.

The group was formed organically out of shared frustration and concern among authors over the increasing number of book bans nationwide. [ more ]

Truthout

Attempted Book Bans Last Year Targeted More Than 4,240 Titles, an All-Time High

Book bans are becoming more organized and prevalent, with a significant increase in challenges compared to previous years.

Books featuring LGBTQ and/or BIPOC characters make up nearly half of all challenges, highlighting a trend in targeted censorship. [ more ]

Axios

More books were targeted for censorship in 2023

Censorship of books continues to rise, with a focus on diverse and LGBTQ themes.

Opposition to targeted books is shifting beyond school libraries to public libraries. [ more ]

Boston.com

RuPaul is sending a rainbow bus to give away books targeted by bans

RuPaul co-founded Allstora, an online bookstore promoting underrepresented authors.

Allstora aims to distribute books targeted by bans and give authors a greater share of profits. [ more ]

PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news

RuPaul runs rings around LGBTQ+ book bans with a giant rainbow bus

RuPaul Charles launched Allstora, an online book marketplace supporting LGBTQ+ authors and diverse voices.

He co-founded the Rainbow Book Bus, aiming to distribute LGBTQ+ titles to marginalized communities facing book bans and limited access. [ more ]

Advocate.com

Watch Moms for Liberty's co-founders look like fools trying to explain their failed book ban movement

Conservative movement targets LGBTQ+ issues in education

Moms for Liberty faces backlash in school board elections [ more ]

Cbsnews

Beaufort, South Carolina, schools return most books to shelves after attempt to ban 97

Campaign to ban books in schools on the rise, with 3,000 bans last year

Beaufort County, SC faces battle over book bans and the true meaning of liberty [ more ]

The Atlantic

Black History Month in the Age of Book Bans

Black History Month serves as a vital occasion for educators to introduce diverse stories and interpretations.

Conservative lawmakers and activists are increasingly restricting books that address racism in America. [ more ]

Black Enterprise

National Black Arts Festival Hosts 'Blacklisted' Banned Book Fair In Atlanta

The National Black Arts Festival is hosting a Blacklisted! Banned Book Fair and Conference in Atlanta during Black History Month.

The event will feature discussions on rising book bans, panels with prominent authors, and activities for families and youth. [ more ]

firstcoastnews.com

Bookstore coming to North Jacksonville will house banned books and focus on Black history

State Representative Angie Nixon is opening 'The Cafe Resistance Bookstore' in response to low literacy rates and state laws on books in classrooms.

The bookstore will primarily feature books about Black history and by Black authors to combat book bans and challenges in the state. [ more ]

The New Republic

Ron DeSantis Finally Admits War on Books Has Been a Total Disaster

Governor Ron DeSantis supports limiting book bans in schools

DeSantis blames activists on both the left and right for hijacking the banning process [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Author Khaled Hosseini on book bans in the US: It betrays students'

Khaled Hosseini criticizes book bans in the US, saying they betray students' right to education.

Many banned books are by female, LGBTQ+ and people of color authors, according to PEN America. [ more ]

WMFE

NYC politics

Former New York City mayor, Moms for Liberty co-founder set to debate book bans in Orlando

Florida leads the nation in book bans.

The debate between Bill de Blasio and Tiffany Justice highlights the national attention on book bans in Florida. [ more ]

PublishersWeekly.com

What's Ahead for Kids' Books in 2024?

Publishers and editors are still optimistic about the children's publishing industry despite challenges like book bans and declining reading rates.

There is a continued influx of talent and creative ambition in children's book submissions, which is encouraging for the industry. [ more ]

Substack

A Bill in Virginia Would Ban Book Bans by School Boards

Virginia has introduced a bill to limit book bans and curriculum restrictions in schools, following the lead of other states.

The bill is a response to a previous bill signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin that allows parents to opt their students out of lessons using 'sexually explicit' materials. [ more ]

The Hill

Educators, students get creative in evading book bans

Educators and students are finding creative ways to access books that have been banned in states and schools.

Banned book clubs and community events are being organized to provide access to challenging materials. [ more ]

Substack

American Intolerance and Book Bans: Book Censorship News, February 2, 2024

The Read Harder Challenge is celebrating its tenth year in 2024 and offers 24 tasks to diversify readers' TBRs

Data from surveys conducted by Book Riot and the EveryLibrary Institute highlight the importance of libraries and library workers [ more ]

www.npr.org

A secret shelf of banned books thrives in a Texas school, under the nose of censors

Students in Texas are hiding a secret bookshelf filled with challenged or banned books in their public school.

The Texas State Board of Education has passed a policy banning sexually explicit or educationally unsuitable books in public schools, resulting in teachers losing their jobs or facing pressure to resign. [ more ]

Boston.com

Book 'ban' reversed in North Attleborough after community reacts

The book 'Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice' covers topics such as social justice activism, discrimination, empathy, and joy.

The North Attleborough elementary school library will return the book to the shelves after facing community backlash. [ more ]

Queerty

Bill O'Reilly, who supports book bans, is pissed two of his own books were just banned in Florida

Bill O'Reilly's books, Killing Jesus and Killing Reagan, have been banned from Florida school libraries.

O'Reilly initially supported the law that led to the ban, but now believes it goes too far. [ more ]

BOOK RIOT

4 months ago

Librarian and Anti-Censorship Activist Amanda Jones Tells Her Story

Megan Jones is appealing the dismissal of her lawsuit, and if successful, her case will go to trial.

Jones has become a prominent advocate against censorship and book bans. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

4 months ago

From Iowa to Florida, national lawsuits against local book bans begin to gain traction

Lawsuits challenging book bans in Florida and Iowa are playing a key role in the fight for student's access to literature.

A U.S. District Judge ruled that a federal lawsuit against the Escambia County School Board for censoring library shelves can move forward. [ more ]

Advocate.com

Jennifer Finney Boylan, Transgender Author & Advocate, Elected President of PEN America

Jennifer Finney Boylan, author and queer rights activist, has been elected president of PEN America.

She has vowed to fight for freedom of speech and against book bans in schools and libraries across the country. [ more ]

PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news

Pink celebrates hometown as school board president swears in on banned books

Karen Smith, newly elected school board president in Pennsylvania, made a rebellious statement by being sworn in on a stack of frequently banned books.

Pink, who is from Pennsylvania, showed support for Smith and has been using her platform to criticize book bans. [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation