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New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.
 

 

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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...

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...

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.

Book cover: Why Books Matter: Honoring Joyce Meskis: Essays on the Past, Present, and Future of Books, Bookselling, and Publishing

ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom to benefit from new book of essays

A new book of essays, “Why Books Still Matter,” inspired by the late First Amendment champion Joyce Meskis, has been released this month, with proceeds going to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

ALA announces state Intellectual Freedom Helpline program grants to support libraries addressing censorship attempts

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline program. Over the next two years, ten pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect...

Unite Against Book Bans expands book résumé collection for National Library Week

To commemorate National Library Week, Unite Against Book Bans has expanded its free collection of book résumés to support librarians, educators, parents, students, and other community advocates in their efforts to keep frequently challenged books on shelves.

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American Library Association reports record number of unique book titles challenged in 2023

The number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65 percent in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the highest levels ever documented by the American Library Association (ALA). The new numbers show efforts to censor 4,240 unique book titles in schools and libraries.

Book Resumés - Unite Against Book Bans - bit.ly/BookResumes

Unite Against Book Bans Announces a Free Book Résumé Resource

Unite Against Book Bans, in collaboration with the publishing community, unveils a free collection of book résumés at bookresumes.uniteagainstbookbans.org to support librarians, educators, parents, students, and other community advocates in their efforts to keep frequently challenged books on shelves.

Photos of the five new members of the Policy Corps' Unite Against Book Bans cadre accompanied by the ALA Policy Corps and Unite Against Book Bans logos.

ALA Announces New Members of the Unite Against Book Bans Cadre for Proactive Advocacy Opposing Book Banning

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to the Policy Corps’ Unite Against Book Bans cadre: Kate Alderete, Carolyn Foote, Jamie M. Gregory, Tyler Hahn, and Jennie Pu. Formed in March 2023, the cadre has worked in close coordination with the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and the ALA Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) Office.

The New York Public Library and the American Library Association invite library systems and teens to join new campaign

NYPL and ALA Toolkits for Libraries and Teens Now Available Oct. 12— The New York Public Library (NYPL) and the American Library Association (ALA) on Wednesday announced they are increasing access to NYPL’s “Books for All” anti-censorship campaign with...

Levar Burton

LeVar Burton to lead 2023 Banned Books Week as honorary chair

NEW YORK CITY — Beloved reading advocate, writer, and television and film star LeVar Burton will lead this year’s Banned Books Week, which takes place October 1–7, 2023. Burton is the first actor to serve as honorary chair of Banned Books Week, an annual...

American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2023 Book Challenges

New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic...

On June 25th, 1953 we said that we trust the people of this nation to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. 70 Years later, we still trust them to make their own decisions.

American Library Association, Association of American Publishers Reaffirm 1953 Freedom to Read Statement, Joined by the Authors Guild and American Booksellers Association

As censorship threats continue to target libraries, schools, publishers, authors, and booksellers, the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) are calling on all members of the book community to affirm their...