Pat Scales

While situations may differ, knowing your library display policy and garnering parental support are key steps, says free speech expert Pat Scales.

What do you do when trustees pressure a library to cut summer programming due to book challenges? Pat Scales answers that question and more.  

As censors attack, administrators issue directives; getting ahead of Moms for Liberty; a parent bars his son from the debate team.

Pat Scales explains why understanding terminology will keep LGBTQIA+ books on the shelves; why parents shouldn't have to know what their kids read; and more. 

A school librarian worries about a vocal parent; a public librarian shares concerns about possible challenges; and a trans student takes on the school board.

School librarians ask Pat about possible parental pushback, principal mandates, and political pressure on collections.

A principal forbids students from talking about a challenged book; librarians question reading levels and defend unrestricted library access for children.

How to handle confrontational parents; a principal's reprimand; supporting LGBTQIA+–themed books; and more advice on challenges and censorship.

An elementary librarian feels unprepared for challenges; a Texas librarian is told to purge titles; a principal forbids students to write to their governor protesting book removal push.