Intellectual Freedom
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.
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...
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 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...
FTRF, AASL Join Amicus Brief in Support of Publishers, Booksellers and Authors Challenging Texas School Book Censorship Law
CHICAGO -- The Freedom to Read Foundation and the American Association of School Librarians have joined the Association of University Presses, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Freedom to Learn Advocates in filing an amicus curiae brief that supports the...
Freedom to Read Foundation welcomes preliminary injunction barring implementation of Arkansas Act 372
Court Upholds First Amendment rights of Libraries, Librarians, Booksellers, Publishers, Authors and Readers in Commanding Opinion Washington, D.C. — On July 29, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas granted a Preliminary Injunction...