Censorship

Eager attendees packed a much anticipated screening at the American Library Association Annual conference in Philadelphia. With the filmmakers and titular subjects on hand, it was an emotional experience of The Librarians, which examines the national crisis of censorship and the heroic professionals on the front lines of defending intellectual freedom.

Freedom to read advocates ask Florida legislators to probe books removed without review in Florida; an audit finds Utah school librarians preemptively removed titles in fear; and more of the latest in censorship news.

Even a so-called "narrow" ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor would undermine the First Amendment and access to diverse viewpoints in public education and lay the groundwork for even more serious ramifications, a Georgetown law professor explains.

After public outcry, most of the 381 books removed from the Naval Academy are back; Texas legislation sends bill to governor that requires school boards or "advisory councils" to approve every new library book and review complaints; and Alabama Public Library board praises precedent set by Fifth Circuit decision in Little vs. Llano County.

The National Coalition Against Censorship is launching a new Teen Advocacy Institute over the summer; a read-in is scheduled during ALA Annual to support the push for librarians in Philly schools; the lawsuit against Lucy Calkins is dismissed; and more in this edition of News Bites.

EveryLibrary responds to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' Little v. Llano County decision, which will allow the government to remove or restrict access to books from public library shelves.

In a rare win for those fighting book bans in South Carolina, a book on Billie Jean King is returning to the shelves; advocates and school staff are fighting back against censorship in Pennsylvania and Ohio; and more in the latest Censorship News.

The actress and literacy advocate accepted an award at the PEN America Literary Gala and expressed her anger about the state of censorship in the United States, also noting her appreciation for librarians and others pushing back on the attacks on books, authors, and access.

An Ohio man burned 100 books he checked out at a public library; military academies and schools that serve children of military members continue to battle book bans; South Carolina has banned more books than any other state; and more in censorship news.