Eight Black students once walked into a “whites-only” library and sat down to read. They were arrested, but their courage helped desegregate the library and change history.
Access to libraries has always been something people had to fight for.
bookriot.com/the-greenvil...
A well-written press release can help communities share accurate information, invite media coverage, and ensure decisions about school libraries happen in the open, not behind closed doors.
The how's and when's are here:
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/how_to_write...
‼️ 11 days left in the Alabama Legislative session ‼️
⬇️ We have made it easy to get connected to your state Representative.
☎️Call your Rep today and urge them to vote NO on SB26 here: www.readfreelyalabama.org/makethecall_...
📨Send your email here:
www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
Community responds to help and protest 95 book challenges filed by fired substitute teacher.
cover of the nowhere girls
THE NOWHERE GIRLS by Amy Reed meets teens where they are and challenges them to think bigger. It explores friendship, consent, sexism, and the courage to speak up. Books like this spark important conversations about respect and accountability. Silencing them limits the dialogue teens need.
Want the freedom to read to thrive? Invest in professionals
If we care about the freedom to read, we have to invest in the pros who make it possible. Teachers & librarians are trained experts, not random shelf-stockers. Pay competitive wages, respect their judgment, and ensure every school library has a certified media specialist. #InvestInProfessionals
Potter Stewart quote: Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself.
Removing books because they challenge us sends a message that ideas are something to fear.
A confident society trusts people to read, think, and decide for themselves.
The freedom to read is about open inquiry, not agreement.
Choose confidence over fear.
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans
Heads up: a new federal bill (HR 7661) could limit books schools can buy with federal funds using a vague “sexually oriented” label. It risks broad censorship of LGBTQ+ and identity-focused titles.
bookriot.com/hr7661-book-...
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #CensorshipWatch
Curious how public records can be used to strengthen transparency, hold decision-makers accountable, and push for real policy change? Learn what to do once you receive records and how to make an impact.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/after_the_re...
cover of dear evan hansen
Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel explores loneliness, anxiety, grief, and the need to belong.
It gives teens language for hard feelings and opens space for empathy and conversation.
Banning stories about mental health doesn’t protect kids, it isolates them.
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #LetKidsRead
When emotions run high around books, it’s tempting to pull a title “just in case.” But constitutional rights don’t bend to pressure.
We need clear policies, transparent processes, defined criteria, and appeals, not panic or politics.
Due process protects students and democracy.
fewer than 10% of students are restricted in school libraries by their parents
When parents can set reading limits for their own child, fewer than 10% choose to restrict access.
Most families trust guidance and conversation, not bans.
You can guide your child without deciding for mine.
Protect choice. Trust librarians. Keep libraries open.
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans
We just celebrated Presidents’ Day, a good time to remember the Founders believed democracy depends on access to ideas, not government control of them.
Our newest piece explores why calling libraries “government speech” threatens the freedom to read.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_founders...
YA author Carolina Ixta talks about the power of books that explore justice, activism, and hope–and she shares six titles that will move and inspire teen readers: bookriot.com/carolina-ixt...
Book Bans Still Happen Loudly in States with Anti-Book Ban Laws
If book banning is being crafted to circumvent Freedom to Read bills, it's beyond time to call this a public health crisis.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Little v. Llano County Legalized Library Censorship. What Exactly Does This Mean?
Leila Green Little, lead plaintiff in Little v. Llano County, talks about what's happened since her case came to a close: bookriot.com/little-v-lla...
Image of Mitchell Kaplan, smiling and wearing a checkered shirt above a quote from him expressing concerns about HB 1119 turning schools into battlegrounds and discouraging open idea discussions. The quote is attributed to an article in Miami New Times. The Pen America logo is in the corner.
Writing in Miami New Times, Mitch Kaplan of Books & Books says that "Florida deserves better" than new laws seeking to expand book bans and deny students literature’s full context and value: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/opinion/florida-book-ban-bills-threaten-schools-and-literary-freedom-40524004/
Maya Angelou’s estate joins Utah lawsuit over the state’s school book bans
www.kpcw.org/state-region...
22 Utah Statewide Banned Books: A Court of Thorns and Roses A Court of Frost and Starlight A Court of Mist and Fury A Court of Silver Flames What Girls are Made Of A Court of Wings and Ruin milk and honey Forever Tilt Fallout Oryx and Crake Blankets Empire of Storms Living Dead Girl Damsel Like A Love Sotry Tricks Water for Elephants Thirteen Reasons Why Nineteen Minutes The Perks of Being A Wallflower Wicked
The current standing of Utah's statewide banned books.
These will make for some great material for our Read-In tomorrow. See you all at 3:30 p.m. at the Utah State Capitol :)
Censorship doesn’t start with empty shelves. It starts quietly: a “review,” a complaint, a social media push.
Our latest from Freedom to Read Project explains the early warning signs and what to do before books disappear.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/early_signs_...
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans
Libraries are for lovers week: Do you love books? Follow us to protect the freedom to read!
Love books? Believe everyone deserves to be reflected in stories?
It’s Libraries Are for Lovers Week! We’re celebrating cozy corners, brilliant librarians & free access to stories for all.
Follow us for tools to fight book bans, support libraries & spread bookish joy. Share if you’re already here.
It's a great one!
cover of the art of racing in the rain. it has the face of a cute golden retriever
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein isn’t just about a dog, it’s about love, grief, resilience, and loyalty when life gets hard.
It builds compassion and empathy, helps families talk about tough realities, and reminds readers how to keep going.
That’s not inappropriate. That’s human.
On Monday, Cyfair ISD’s recently elected 4-3 pro-public ed majority took decisive action to walk back the removal of 13 TEA/SBOE approved textbook chapters, censored by their prior board majority.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
PEN America today is leading a delegation of nationally renowned writers to Texas A&M University in defense of academic freedom and free expression on campus. https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-leads-writer-delegation-to-texas-am-as-more-than-30-groups-push-back-on-campus-censorship/
Books open doors. Conversations build trust. Tough stories create space for the best talks.
Talking with your kids about books isn’t scary, it’s powerful.
Books open doors. Conversations build trust.
Ask what they think. Listen. Grow together.
That’s not dangerous, that’s parenting.
#FreedomToRead #RaiseReaders #BooksNotBans
As a movement to ban books reaches the front doors of libraries across the country, librarians find themselves on the frontlines. Watch @independentlens.bsky.social @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
on the PBS YouTube Channel and PBS app starting February 9.
www.pbs.org/independentl...
New proposals are popping up across the country that could protect (or threaten) what we can access in libraries and classrooms.
Check out this clear breakdown of freedom-to-read bill proposals and what they mean for readers everywhere:
bookriot.com/freedom-to-r...
As a movement to ban books reaches the front doors of libraries across the country, librarians find themselves on the frontlines. Watch @independentlens.bsky.social @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on the PBS YouTube Channel and PBS app starting February 9.
www.pbs.org/independentl...
