With the severe uptick in local and statewide book challenges, ALA offers this clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and library advocates in responding to and supporting others facing those challenges. Remember to report challenges to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, and let ALA know if you need assistance.
Your support matters more now than ever. Donate now to help us fight this nationwide organized assault on the freedom to read.
The American Library Association opposes widespread efforts to censor books in U.S. schools and libraries. Read the statement from ALA's Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for ALA's Eight Divisions.
Preparing for and Responding to Challenges | Working with the Public | Library Bill of Rights and Interpretations | Graphics | Webinars | Statements | Opinion Pieces and Op-Eds |
Stay Informed | Support Library Workers | Censorship Legislation
Preparing for and Responding to Challenges
When ALA knows more about what is being challenged, as well as why and where, we can use that data to draw national attention to the harms of censorship and highlight the value of free and open access to information and the freedom to read. The information allows ALA staff, member leaders, and volunteers to develop the best resources to defend library materials and to protect against challenges before they happen.
Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries (PDF)
How to respond to challenges and concerns about library resources
Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit
Tips from practitioners:
- Grassroots 101: How to Save your Library from Organized Censorship
- Lawn Boy and Gender Queer: The Trend Toward Book Challenges
- School Libraries and Controversial Books: Tips From the Front Lines
- Up to the Challenge: Books to Navigate Threats to Intellectual Freedom
Working with the Public
Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
Questions about Youth and Access to Library Resources
Tips for addressing challenges during a public meeting
Working with community leaders
Working with media:
Intellectual freedom traditional and social media tips
Social media tips from ALA's Public Policy & Advocacy Office
Tips on working with traditional media from ALA's Public Policy & Advocacy Office
Library Bill of Rights and Interpretations
Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors
Access to Resources and Services in the School Library
Graphics
Because Librarians Stand Up for Your Right to Read Facebook share | Instagram share | Twitter share
Because Students Need Challenging Books Facebook share | Instagram share | Twitter share
Webinars
Advocacy for Your Library During a Crisis (April 2020)
Censorship and Mental Health: Dealing with the Emotional Fallout of Book Challenges (December 2021 - Member Access)
Challenges & Crises: Preparing Your Board of Trustees, United for Libraries’ president’s program (June 2020)
#LibrariesStrong: State Ecosystems Mobilize to Defeat Censorship Legislation (May 2019)
Statements
Statements from ALA's State Partners:
- Georgia Library Association (joint statement): Position Statement on the Freedom to Read in School Libraries in Georgia
- Illinois - Association of Illinois School Library Educators: Statement on Attempts to Censor or Remove Materials from School Libraries (PDF)
- Iowa Library Association (joint statement): Iowa Library Association Statement on Book Challenges Across the State (PDF)
- Louisiana Library Association: A Message Regarding Censorship
- Michigan Library Association: Statement of Principle - Intellectual Freedom (PDF)
- Missouri Association of School Librarians: MASL Challenge Statement
- Missouri Library Association: MLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom
- New Jersey Association of School Librarians: Position Statement on Censorship in our School Libraries
- New Jersey Library Association: NJLA's Statement Against Censorship (PDF)
- New York Library Association: Position Statement on the Defense of Intellectual Freedom
- South Carolina Association of School Librarians: Statement on censorship, the Freedom to Read, and in support of School Librarians
- South Carolina Library Association: SCLA Statement on Censorship
- Tennessee Library Association (joint statement): Position Statement on the Censorship of Books in School Libraries in Tennessee
- Texas Library Association: The Freedom to Read is a Right and Must be Protected
- Utah Library Association: Statement from the Utah Library Association in Support of School Libraries and Librarians (PDF)
- Utah Library Association (joint statement): Utah Library Book Challenge Statement (PDF)
- Vermont Library Association: Vermont Library Association Statement on Critical Race Theory
- Virginia Association of School Librarians: Position Statement on Censorship of Books in Virginia School Libraries (PDF)
- Virginia Library Association: VLA Executive Committee Statement on Censorship and the Freedom to Read (PDF)
Opinion Pieces and Op-Eds
Book banning is a trend that should be left in the old year (Observer-Reporter, January 1, 2022)
Book banning isn't about protecting children; it's adult political posturing (Times-Republican, December 16, 2021)
Professional Values, Jefferson's Bible, and Censorship (ACRL Insider, December 3, 2021)
Start banning controversial library books and soon you will be left with none (Star-Tribune, December 20, 2021)
Stay Informed
Sign up for the OIF blog or the weekly digest of OIF news, and see below for recent news stories from across the nation.
Support Library Workers
Here are some things that you can do now to support library workers and protect the freedom to read.
1) Follow news and social media in your community and state to keep apprised of organizations working to censor library or school materials.
2) Show up for library colleagues at school or library board meetings and speak as a library advocate and community stakeholder who supports a parent's right to restrict reading materials for their own child but not for ALL readers.
3) Educate friends, neighbors, and family members about censorship and how it harms communities. Share information from Banned Books Week 2021.
4) Join the Freedom to Read Foundation: https://www.ftrf.org.
The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund supports library workers whose employment is threatened due to their defense of intellectual freedom. Learn more about the fund in this recent blog post and donate if you can, or submit a request for assistance if you need it.
Censorship Legislation
ALA works with state associations to support state legislative efforts and to address adverse legislation.
Contact:
Kristin Pekoll, Assistant Director
Office for Intellectual Freedom
kpekoll@ala.org
Members of the press, visit the press kit or contact:
Macey Morales, Deputy Director
Communications and Marketing Office
mmorales@ala.org