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ALA, Unite Against Book Bans share Right to Read Day theme and actions

American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans invite the community to participate in Right to Read Day, taking place April 7, the Monday of National Library Week.

ALA, AASL decry U.S. Defense Department censorship of schools and libraries on military installations

DoDEA school libraries provide a wealth of information and resources to their communities. By ordering the removal and suppression of learning materials and activities in its schools and libraries, the DoDEA is engaging in censorship...

Red background, white words: BOOK BANS ARE REAL. ALA logo

ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real

The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."

ALA logo on red background

American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians Members Featured in Documentary “The Librarians” to Walk the Red Carpet at Sundance Premiere

American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians member leaders Becky Calzada, Carolyn Foote, and Amanda Jones, will walk the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for the premiere of “The Librarians"

Arkansas Book-Banning Law Declared Unconstitutional

The US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas today declared Arkansas Act 372 unconstitutional in an opinon indicating that the law is overbroad and void for vagueness, and permanently enjoined its enforcement.

2025 Eli M Oboler Memorial Award. Now accepting submissions! Books published in 2023/2024 with the central concern of one or more issues, events, questions, or controversies in the area of intellectual freedom. Deadline: January 2, 2025. ala.org/ifrt/oboler. Intellectual Freedom Round Table

IFRT Seeks Nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking book nominations for the 2025 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award. The award winner will be announced in the spring of 2025. A certificate of recognition and $500 cash award will be presented at the 2025 American...

Red, white and blue copy on black background: 10.19.24  FREEDOM TO READ DAY OF ACTION COMMUNITIES UNITE AGAINST BOOK BANS

Freedom to Read Community Day of Action rallies support for America’s libraries on October 19

The American Library Association (ALA) and the ALA-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign are joining some of the nation’s largest and smallest library systems to in a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19, 2024.

ALA reveals preliminery data on 2024 book challenges. New data shows a slowdown in callenge reports.

American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges

Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.

American Library Association Hosts Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress

ALA convened a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together national organizations, publishing allies, educational institutions, foundations, authors and other champions of intellectual freedom.

Promotional graphic with the text: "FREE PEOPLE READ FREELY. 09|17 2024 AT THE Library of Congress. A National Summit on Democracy, Intellectual Freedom, and Book Censorship in the 21st Century."

American Library Association to Host Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress

Event to Forge Collaborative Playbook to Address Censorship Challenges and Protect Free Expression WASHINGTON - The American Library Association (ALA) is convening a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together...

A headshot of Ava DuVernay

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay To Lead Banned Books Week As Honorary Chair

White House Honoree Julia Garnett to Serve as Youth Honorary Chair CHICAGO — Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair for Banned Books Week 2024, which takes place September 22 – 28. DuVernay will be joined by youth honorary...

ALA logo on red background

American Library Association Council strongly reaffirms freedom for all to read freely

The association’s elected Council delivered a strong message opposing censors and those who are trying to remove hundreds of books at a time targeting LGBTQ+ and people of color from library shelves.

Banned Books from the Big Chair is Back for #ALAAC24! Saturday and Sunday, 9:00-5:00pm. Lobby E (outside Exhibits)

Banned Books from the Big Chair returns for 2024 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition

Sage, the American Library Association, the Banned Books Week Coalition, and Unite Against Book Bans are partnering to bring Banned Books from the Big Chair back to the 2024 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition! To counter the unparalleled rise in...

book cover for Prepared Libraries, Empowered Teams: A Workbook for Navigating Intellectual Freedom Challenges Together

A workbook for navigating intellectual freedom challenges

CHICAGO — Whether a book challenge is upon you, on the horizon, in your rearview mirror, or not yet in sight, now is the time to start envisioning what a challenge-ready team looks like in your organization. “ Prepared Libraries, Empowered Teams: A...

Hanif Abdurraqib

Acclaimed poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib to headline second annual Rally for the Right to Read

The American Library Association (ALA) and Unite Against Book Bans will host a second annual Rally for the Right to Read: Voters Unite Against Book Bans at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Friday, June 28, 2024.