Fight Censorship

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.

Challenge Support

Confidential challenge support from ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom for libraries and library workers undergoing censorship attempts, including one-on-one guidance, letters of support, and more.

Legal Support

The Freedom to Read Foundation, a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with ALA, protects and defends libraries' right to collect — and individuals' right to access — information.

Financial Support

Library workers whose employment is threatened or are facing termination due to their defense of intellectual freedom can apply for financial support through the LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund.

Warning sign superimposed over blurred photo of meeting room

Library Safety

The past year has seen threats directed to public and school libraries and library workers, including the forced temporary closure of public library systems due to bomb and shooting threats. With the safety of our members being our utmost priority, PLA and ALA have compiled a range of resources and knowledge to help library workers and patrons stay safe and prepared.

To prepare for the possibility of a threat, we recommend that libraries review their procedures. This may include a review of emergency procedures and preparations, as well as plans for communicating with internal (e.g. staff) and external (e.g. media) audiences.

If your library faces a threat to safety, we recommend first notifying local law enforcement and library security, if applicable. After any immediate steps are taken, we suggest you file a report with the FBI and notify ALA at notify@ala.org.

Learn more

Be Prepared

Free Webinars

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)
Advocacy for Your Library During a Crisis
(April 2020)

State and Local Resources

State-based resources from school library partners:

California School Library Association: Intellectual Freedom Resources
Illinois - Association of Illinois School Library Educators: Statement on Attempts to Censor or Remove Materials from School Libraries (PDF)
Missouri Association of School Librarians: MASL Challenge Statement
New Jersey Association of School Librarians: Position Statement on Censorship in our School Libraries
Pennsylvania School Librarians Association: Challenge Resources page
South Carolina Association of School Librarians: Statement on censorship, the Freedom to Read, and in support of School Librarians
Virginia Association of School Librarians: Position Statement on Censorship of Books in Virginia School Libraries (PDF)

ALA works with state associations to support state legislative efforts and to address adverse legislation. Visit ALA's state legislative toolkit and sign up for advocacy alerts from ALA and your state's library association(s).

Getting the Word Out

Get Involved

Report Censorship

Don't let censorship go unchecked in your community. Defend the public's freedoms and report challenges and bans of books and other materials or services to ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Join Unite Against Book Bans

Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship. Share resources from the UABB Action Toolkit with your community and help defend the right to read for all Americans.

Freedom to Read Foundation

Join the Freedom to Read Foundation, a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with ALA, protects and defends libraries' right to collect — and individuals' right to access — information. LIS students receive a free on-year membership!

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, programs, or curriculum.

2) Show up for librarians and educators 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) Oppose legislation in your state that would censor materials, programs, or curriculum. Engage respectfully with your elected officials via phone, email, and social media.

4) Educate friends, neighbors, and family members about censorship and how it harms communities. Share information from Banned Books Week.

5) Write an op-Ed or letter to the editor for your local newspaper or community newsletter. Find tips for writing your letter in the Unite Against Book Bans toolkit.

6) Join the Freedom to Read Foundation, an organization that protects and defends the First Amendment to the Constitution and supports the right of libraries to collect — and individuals to access — information.

The Merritt Fund (blurred photo of person fading as the leave a library

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. Donate if you can, or submit a request for assistance if you need it.

Donate