Resources for Intellectual Freedom Challenges Spring 2024

Public libraries provide diverse collections for the “enlightenment of all people” as called out in the foundational Library Bill of Rights. And yet most recently, libraries are facing an unprecedented rise in book challenges and attempts to censor materials and programs. This toolkit is to assist in building understanding why free access and the role of the public library as an open forum for information are so important and to help public library staff address these attempts to suppress voices and ideas. The resources listed will help public libraries connect with trusted national and local organizations, as well as find training for staff and stakeholders when faced with a challenge. Each section offers relevant sites with facts, talking points and suggested next steps for various circumstances. Reading truly is one of the greatest freedoms and American public libraries hold the people’s trust in providing and fighting for it.

Contact the liaison to the PLA Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships committee with questions or updates to the toolkit.

Legal Resources

• Office for Intellectual Freedom
• Freedom to Read Foundation
• ALA Challenge Support
• Intellectual Freedom: Issues and Resources
• ARSL Advocacy Center
• Democracy Forward
• ACLU State Affiliates
• Law School Public Interest/Pro Bono Programs
• State Library Agencies

Organizational Partnerships

• State and Regional Chapters Directory (State Associations):
  • ALA
  • AASL (American Association of School Librarians)
• League of Women Voters
  • LWV Local and State Directory
• American Association of University Women
  • AAUW Branch Locator
• American Booksellers Association
  • American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE)
• PEN America
  • PEN America Issues: Book Bans

Trustees, Friends, and Foundations

• United for Libraries
  • Fighting Censorship
  • Power Guide for Successful Advocacy
  • Trustee Academy (partner with your State Library)
  • State Friends Groups
• Participate in national, regional, and state conferences for their trustee conference tracks.
• Utilize your library attorney.

Sources for Staff Training

• Unite Against Book Bans Action Toolkit
• ARSL Advocacy Guides
• State Associations (ALA Chapters)
• State Library Agencies (Library Development)
• We Need Diverse Books: Resources
• Resources from the ALA Store
  • Search: Intellectual Freedom & Copyright for Public Librarians
  • A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons

Mental Health

• Mental Health Resources in Libraries (ALA)
• Mental Health First Aid – partner with a local or regional organization to deliver
• Employee Assistance Programs
• State Association or Library Mentor Groups
• Community Mental Health Centers

Additional Resources to Consider

• Identify local partners from the Unite Against Book Bans list
• Self-paced training and webinars on:
  • Advocacy or Intellectual Freedom at ALA eLearning
  • De-escalation for Libraries at WebJunction
• Creating a standard and a Crisis Communication plan and training staff and trustees on it.
  • Who speaks for the library?
  • What to do when approached by the media?
• Attend the PLA Legal Issues Forum held each year at ALA Annual Conference (2023).
• Review the Intellectual Freedom Blog (subscribe for notifications).
• Partner with your local media affiliates (TV, radio, print) to share positive library stories!