Intellectual Freedom
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.
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.
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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.
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.
Literacy Nation Inc. and EMIERT announce the 2nd Annual Freedom to Read-a-Thon at ALA Annual Conference
Philadelphia — Literacy Nation Inc., in partnership with the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), our Supporter and partners, is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Freedom to Read-a-Thon. This exciting event will take place...
Webinar: Law and the Right to Read: What Your Trustees Need to Know
United for Libraries will host Law and the Right to Read: What Your Trustees Need to Know on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm Central. Registration is free to the following United statewide partners: MA, MD, MI, MS, ND, NE, OR, SC, SD, and VA...
The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table’s Addressing Challenges Committee is now accepting submissions for their new community zine project
In February 2022, the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table created the Addressing Comics Challenges Committee with the charge of focusing on resources for libraries in preparing for and addressing bans, challenges, and other forms of censorship to comics...
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.
ALA kicks off National Library Week revealing the annual list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books and the State of America’s Libraries Report
The American Library Association (ALA) launched National Library Week with today’s release of its highly anticipated annual list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and the State of America’s Libraries Report, which highlights the ways libraries...
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.
Core Webinar Series: Creative Commons
CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is excited to present the four-part webinar series “Creative Commons” March-April 2024. This webinar series is from Creative Commons, an international nonprofit organization that empowers people to grow...
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.
Libraries without borders chronicled in Library History Round Table volume
CHICAGO — “ Libraries Without Borders: New Directions in Library History,” published by ALA Editions, is a remarkable collection of essays drawn from the Library History Seminar sponsored by the Library History Round Table (LHRT). Edited by Steven A...