#freedomtoread — Public Fediverse posts

New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools

“The content of these books that are disappearing speaks volumes about both the stories, identities, and facts that are being suppressed, and about the political and cultural attack on public education across the U.S.,” the report states.
The post New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/05/new-pen-america-report-finds-nonfiction-increasingly-targeted-by-book-banners-in-u-s-schools/

#BookBans #FreedomtoRead #PENAmerica #reports #UnitedStates

New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools

“The content of these books that are disappearing speaks volumes about both the stories, identities, and facts that are being suppressed, and about the political and cultural attack on public education across the U.S.,” the report states.
The post New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/05/new-pen-america-report-finds-nonfiction-increasingly-targeted-by-book-banners-in-u-s-schools/

#BookBans #FreedomtoRead #PENAmerica #reports #UnitedStates

New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools

“The content of these books that are disappearing speaks volumes about both the stories, identities, and facts that are being suppressed, and about the political and cultural attack on public education across the U.S.,” the report states.
The post New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/05/new-pen-america-report-finds-nonfiction-increasingly-targeted-by-book-banners-in-u-s-schools/

#BookBans #FreedomtoRead #PENAmerica #reports #UnitedStates

New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools

“The content of these books that are disappearing speaks volumes about both the stories, identities, and facts that are being suppressed, and about the political and cultural attack on public education across the U.S.,” the report states.
The post New PEN America Report Finds Nonfiction Increasingly Targeted by Book Banners in U.S. Schools appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/05/new-pen-america-report-finds-nonfiction-increasingly-targeted-by-book-banners-in-u-s-schools/

#BookBans #FreedomtoRead #PENAmerica #reports #UnitedStates

That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America "A full-throated defense of the freedom to read, to discover, and to think" Sale: $15.99 to $3.99 by Amanda Jones Rating: 4.2/5 (350 Reviews) #books #libraries #censorship #freedomtoread #education #activism #BookSky

That Librarian: The Fight Agai...

PEN America Honors Tennessee Library Advocates for Defending the Freedom to Read

“The Rutherford County Library Alliance is an important reminder that power lives in our communities, with the courage of individuals who refuse to be silenced,” said Summer Lopez PEN America co-CEO.” Also this week, PEN International released its 2026 International Case List, highlighting writers around the world targeted for their work.
The post PEN America Honors Tennessee Library Advocates for Defending the Freedom to Read appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/04/pen-america-honors-tennessee-library-advocates-for-defending-the-freedom-to-read/

#BookBans #FreedomtoRead #InternationalCaseList2026 #Libraries #PENInternational

BOOK CHALLENGES HIT UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS, GRIPPING LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS

Thousands of book titles are being challenged in US libraries and schools. Learn why and which states are most affected by these censorship attempts.

#BookBans, #LibraryCensorship, #SchoolLibraries, #FreedomToRead, #PENAmerica

https://newsletter.tf/us-book-bans-rise-in-libraries-schools/

Book challenges in US schools and libraries have reached record highs, with over 6,870 instances recorded in the last academic year. This is a significant increase from previous years.

#BookBans, #LibraryCensorship, #SchoolLibraries, #FreedomToRead, #PENAmerica
https://newsletter.tf/us-book-bans-rise-in-libraries-schools/

American Library Association Shares Book Ban Data, List of ‘Most Challenged’ Titles of 2025

U.S. librarians tracked 4,235 unique book challenges in 2025, nearly matching the record of 4,240 recorded in 2023, and almost double last year's count.
The post American Library Association Shares Book Ban Data, List of ‘Most Challenged’ Titles of 2025 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/04/american-library-association-shares-book-ban-data-list-of-most-challenged-titles-of-2025/

#AmericanLibraryAssociation #BookBans #FreedomtoRead #Libraries #UnitedStates

Penguin Random House Urges U.S. Congress to Reject Republican Book Banning Bill

"The bill creates strong incentives for schools to remove or avoid a wide range of books and materials," wrote PRH SVP Skip Dye in a letter to lawmakers, adding that, if passed, the law would also force educators and librarians to self-censor, resulting in "further marginalization of vulnerable communities.”
The post Penguin Random House Urges U.S. Congress to Reject Republican Book Banning Bill appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/04/penguin-random-house-urges-u-s-congress-to-reject-republican-book-banning-bill/

#BookBanning #Diversity #FreedomtoRead #Librarians #PenguinRandomHouse

U.S. Appeals Courts Deals a Blow to the Freedom to Read

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that school officials and politicians have broad discretion to order the removal of books from school libraries as long as the removals are "reasonably" related to "legitimate pedagogical concerns."
The post U.S. Appeals Courts Deals a Blow to the Freedom to Read appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/04/u-s-appeals-courts-deals-a-blow-to-the-freedom-to-read/

#FreedomtoRead #Libraries #PenguinRandomHouse #SF496 #UnitedStates

Re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird and finishing it in one sitting—again.

It remains one of the most challenged books in the U.S., largely due to its portrayal of race and injustice.

That discomfort is precisely the point.

Literature that endures tends to ask questions people would rather avoid.

#BannedBooks #Literature #ToKillAMockingbird #FreedomToRead #ClassicBooks

A Nationwide Book Ban Bill Has Been Introduced in the House of Representatives

https://bookriot.com/hr7661-book-ban-legislation/

#HackerNews #BookBan #Bill #HouseOfRepresentatives #Censorship #FreedomToRead #LegislativeAction #BookRights

We Read Banned Books – YouTube

by ACLU

Video source: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5FoA/aclu-every-book-featuring-judy-blume-and-jason-reynolds

See Also: Playlist•7 videos•1,079 views

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwfdTKcPlB5lValVsFOoyPd0fM1z_8_Er

 We Read Banned Books – Description from YouTube…

Since 2021, dozens of states have moved to introduce and pass classroom censorship bills that restrict students and teachers from discussing race, gender, and sexual orientation in public schools. At the same time, politicians and school boards are making moves to ban books — predominately those by Black and LGBTQ authors — from public schools and libraries. We partnered with some of our favorite artists to read books that have been banned around the country, because everyone has a First Amendment right to learn and read free from censorship or discrimination. To learn more about book bans and how to combat classroom censorship, go to https://www.aclu.org/rtl-resources

Continue/Read Original Article Here: We Read Banned Books – YouTube

Opinion: San Diego needs all city libraries to be open seven days a week – San Diego Union-Tribune

Editor’s Note: Reposted with pleasure. I retired in 2016 from SDPL, 15 years of service to the community in various roles: Training Librarian, Government Documents, Librarian II in Science & Technology. Read please and support your Library. It’s Vital for Growth, for Education, for all the People we serve. –DrWeb

Opinion, Commentary

Opinion: San Diego needs all city libraries to be open seven days a week

By Patrick Stewart, Patrick is the CEO of the Library Foundation SD and lives in Clairemont.

PUBLISHED: February 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM PST

In his 2026 State of the City address, Mayor Todd Gloria outlined proposals and priorities for the city in the coming year. However, he notably left out the San Diego Public Library when discussing building, transforming and investing in our city.

The mayor proposed funding the city based on who we are today and how we’re moving forward tomorrow, not funding it based on where we were 30 years ago — and I agree! Sadly, the San Diego Public Library is funded too closely, in relation to the city’s general fund, to the level it was funded nearly three decades ago.

As the city demonstrates its priorities through budget allocations, I urge our leaders to recognize the San Diego Public Library as the cornerstone of public services it truly is. Libraries have long served as more than just places to borrow books.

The San Diego Public Library stands as the region’s largest provider of free cultural programming and serves as a hub for workforce development, lifelong learning, early literacy, civic engagement, and social justice. From a parent whose child relies on the Homework Center at their local library to the entrepreneur learning how to write a business plan, our libraries provide essential services that help San Diegans connect and access key resources.

Inspired and guided by community voices, the Library Foundation SD remains committed to advocating for a 37/7 system, in which all 37 library branches are open seven days a week and reflect the programming needs of our world-class city.

Each year the San Diego Public Library is visited nearly 7 million times, making the library department one of the most widely used services in the city.

San Diegans deserve and have called for a full-time library department. Just last year, thanks to thousands of voices in our community, a crucial budget adjustment was secured that restored Monday hours at 17 library locations. This partial restoration exemplifies the power of collective advocacy, and demonstrates what we can achieve when the community rallies behind the Library Department.

Being open every day of the week ensures that libraries remain important community spaces that close educational gaps, support digital equity and promote workforce readiness. Every day that one of our branches is closed, students, job seekers, families and neighbors who depend on their public library miss out on valuable opportunities.

The annual cost of restoring seven-day service across all branches is less than 0.5% of the city’s general fund — a modest investment that benefits half of all San Diego households.

Now is not the time to cut spending on spaces and services that empower residents and foster connected communities.

Throughout our 37 branches, librarians identify community needs and address problems with programming. Services offered across our branches — ranging from youth academic preparedness to workforce development, technology access, and cultural enrichment — strengthen the fabric of our communities.

If further citywide budget cuts are on the horizon, our library system’s ability to serve the community with essential programs and services will be severely threatened. After last year’s struggles, any additional reductions would have catastrophic consequences for the library’s programming capabilities.

Last year, San Diegans made it clear: “This is unacceptable.” We understand that budgeting is a challenge, but we also have a set of priorities to support, including keeping libraries open 37/7 — every location, seven days a week.

I invite all supporters of the freedom to read and the future of our city to contact your elected officials and let them know you support your library. Find your representative at sandiego.gov/contact.

Get involved in supporting public libraries by signing up for our advocacy newsletter at http://libraryfoundationsd.org/.

Patrick is the CEO of the Library Foundation SD and lives in Clairemont.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Opinion: San Diego needs all city libraries to be open seven days a week – San Diego Union-Tribune

U.S. Congress Members Reintroduce Federal ‘Right to Read’ Act

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce legislation that would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."…
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/12/u-s-congress-members-reintroduce-federal-right-to-read-act/

#AdelitaGrijalva #FreedomtoRead #JackReed #Libraries #RighttoRead

U.S. Congress Members Reintroduce Federal ‘Right to Read’ Act

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce legislation that would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."…
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/12/u-s-congress-members-reintroduce-federal-right-to-read-act/

#AdelitaGrijalva #FreedomtoRead #JackReed #Libraries #RighttoRead

U.S. Congress Members Reintroduce Federal ‘Right to Read’ Act

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce legislation that would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."…
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/12/u-s-congress-members-reintroduce-federal-right-to-read-act/

#AdelitaGrijalva #FreedomtoRead #JackReed #Libraries #RighttoRead

U.S. Congress Members Reintroduce Federal ‘Right to Read’ Act

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce legislation that would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."…
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/12/u-s-congress-members-reintroduce-federal-right-to-read-act/

#AdelitaGrijalva #FreedomtoRead #JackReed #Libraries #RighttoRead

"Banned Books Week is being quietly banned in public libraries across the US. This is a political choice in an era where libraries continue to claim being "not political."--Kelly Jensen

#BannedBooksWeek #BookBans #Libraries #Reading #FreedomToRead

https://bookriot.com/banning-banned-books-week/

Via the Zinn Education Project:

"Among countless banned & challenged books is "Fry Bread" by Kevin Noble Maillard.

In support of the #TeachTruth campaign & to raise awareness about the dangers of censorship, every Lush store has a display about the ban."

#BookBans #FreedomToRead
#LetFreedomReadDay #BannedBooksWeek

https://socialjusticebooks.org/banned-books-display-in-lush-stores/

It's the last day of Banned Books Week, and you can make prisoners' lives just a bit better by participating in the "Books to prisoners" program. (Not in the list, but actually participating: Left Bank Books in downtown Seattle)

ETA: you can also help all year round! Visit https://bookstoprisoners.net/ to learn more.

#Reading #FreedomToRead #BannedBooksWeek #BooksToPrisoners

Celebrating #BannedBooksWeek! Have any of your favorite #books been banned?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKh0k3qjLUM

#reading #amreading #freedomtoread #readtolearn #readimagine #newideas #learnsomethingnew!

In this time of rampant book banning, a reminder that four library systems in the US offer the Books Unbanned program giving access to their electronic collections to young people anywhere across the country. Seattle Public Library's program is open to young people from 13 to 26, and over 19,000 have signed up for a card, and checked out more than 571,400 ebooks and audiobooks so far.

To get a Books Unbanned card at SPL, get reading recommendations, or find out more information about the program, check out:
https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbanned

(Edited 10/8/2025 with the most recent numbers, there's been quite in increase in use.)

#BannedBooksWeek2025 #BannedBooks #BooksUnbanned #FreedomToRead #libraries #SPL #PNW @Libraries

The Librarians Film | Official Site

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Directed by Kim A. Snyder

Continue/Read More: https://thelibrariansfilm.com/

In The Librarians film, librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. READ MORE

We are thrilled to have received an Honorable Ment We are thrilled to be in MA on JULY 29 — and hop We’re returning to Utah with @sundanceorg Film F Director/Producer KIM A SNYDER is en route to @mif “Librarians are badass.” 💪 “Librarians ar As our team returns from our journeys to the UK an Our festival tour continues at @nantucketfilmfesti Don’t miss us at @framelinefest #frameline49 in

Continue/Read Original Article Here: The Librarians Film | Official Site

#2025 #America #bookbanning #Books #Film #Films #frameline49 #freedomtoread #History #Libraries #Library #Movies #Politics #TheLibrarians #Trump #UnitedStates

Titles banned, data deleted, the nation’s librarians sacked without explanation – Donald Trump’s war on books is a threat to democracy across the world, writes the head of Oxford University’s libraries
https://observer.co.uk/news/international/article/there-is-no-political-power-without-power-over-the-archive
#Libraries #Archives #Democracy #Bodleian #Reading #Readers #FreedomToRead

Penguin Random House Leads Amicus Brief in LGBTQ+ Books Case

The US high court hears oral arguments as publishing industry parties file an amicus brief, on school exposure to LGBTQ+ themes.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/04/penguin-random-house-leads-amicus-brief-in-lgbtq-books-case/

#AuthorsGuild #BookBanning #Censorship #FreedomofExpression #FreedomtoRead
@indieauthors

Penguin Random House Leads Amicus Brief in LTGBQ+ Books Case

The US high court hears oral arguments as publishing industry parties file an amicus brief, on school exposure to LGBTQ+ themes.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/04/penguin-random-house-leads-amicus-brief-in-ltgbq-books-case/

#AuthorsGuild #BookBanning #Censorship #FreedomofExpression #FreedomtoRead
@indieauthors

Good.

QT Education Minnesota
‪@educationmn.bsky.social‬
BREAKING: Educators sue St. Francis Area Schools over book ban policy
https://edmn.me/4iWFI6v
#teachtruth #freedomtoread
https://bsky.app/profile/educationmn.bsky.social/post/3ll5bdvzgns2r

Our bookstore is no stranger to unwanted government attention; we’ve been threatened by city officials, visited by the FBI, and surveilled by police. Historically, the investigation and prosecution of activists has aimed to disrupt our movements for change, sow fear and isolation among participants, break intergenerational bonds, and criminalize struggles for freedom. But we can overcome these attacks through principled action and uncompromising solidarity.

Firestorm has made the following commitments:
• We will minimize non-required collection and storage of information about customers, authors, event participants, and others who engage with our co-op.
• We will resist, and publicly disclose, any attempt to obtain such information when it exists.
• We will decline to answer questions from police and government agents.
• We will fight any court or government subpoena, process, or demand for records, testimony, or evidence.
• We will support those in our community who face state repression, regardless of “guilt” or “innocence.”
• We will retain legal counsel to defend our freedom to not cooperate with the State.

We know that these actions cannot guarantee safety for our members or community, but to cooperate in the face of our own repression, or the repression of others, would be a profoundly unsafe betrayal. Noncooperation is both the ethical and strategic position for those who want to build a new world, but must contend with the old one.

Find our entire statement, including linked references, at https://firestorm.coop/noncooperation.html.

#FreedomToRead #StateRepression #CoopsNotCops #Anarchism #FeministBookstore #FirestormCoop

📸: Daniel Barlow

#FreedomtoRead #Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the #Courtroom

As a key #lawsuit in #LlanoCounty is set to be heard by the full #FifthCircuit #CourtofAppeals, freedom-to-read advocates consider their next moves

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95947-freedom-to-read-advocates-look-to-expand-efforts-beyond-the-courtroom.html

#FreedomtoRead #Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the #Courtroom

As a key #lawsuit in #LlanoCounty is set to be heard by the full #FifthCircuit #CourtofAppeals, freedom-to-read advocates consider their next moves

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95947-freedom-to-read-advocates-look-to-expand-efforts-beyond-the-courtroom.html

#FreedomtoRead #Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the #Courtroom

As a key #lawsuit in #LlanoCounty is set to be heard by the full #FifthCircuit #CourtofAppeals, freedom-to-read advocates consider their next moves

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95947-freedom-to-read-advocates-look-to-expand-efforts-beyond-the-courtroom.html

#FreedomtoRead #Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the #Courtroom

As a key #lawsuit in #LlanoCounty is set to be heard by the full #FifthCircuit #CourtofAppeals, freedom-to-read advocates consider their next moves

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95947-freedom-to-read-advocates-look-to-expand-efforts-beyond-the-courtroom.html

#FreedomtoRead #Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the #Courtroom

As a key #lawsuit in #LlanoCounty is set to be heard by the full #FifthCircuit #CourtofAppeals, freedom-to-read advocates consider their next moves

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95947-freedom-to-read-advocates-look-to-expand-efforts-beyond-the-courtroom.html

On Thursday, August 1st, join Run For Something and For The People: A Leftist Library Project to get the inside scoop on how public libraries function as political institutions, and learn how you can make a difference in strengthening and expanding them

🔗 https://www.mobilize.us/runforsomething/event/641777/

#PublicLibraries #Libraries #RunForSomething #ForThePeople #ProtectLibraryWorkers #InvestInLibraries
#FreedomToRead #BannedBooks

"For many library workers, the material consequences of unchecked capitalism are the stuff of everyday life."

🔗 https://inthesetimes.com/article/public-libraries-are-commons-in-america

#Libraries #PublicLibraries #LibraryWorkers #InTheseTimes #EmilyDrabinski #Socialism #InvestInLibraries #FreedomToRead

"Court won't reconsider blocking Texas public school book rating law"

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/court-wont-reconsider-blocking-texas-public-school-book-rating-law-2024-04-16/

#BookBans #Censorship #Texas #Libraries #HB900 #FreedomToRead

(Making a few quick notes to expound upon later.)
We were at "Freedom to Read 2024: The Right to Respect with John Ibbitson" talk hosted by OPL last night (https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/freedom-read-2024-right-respect-john-ibbitson)
He gave an excellent talk. I liked his use as a term "Respect". Respect to the reader or writer in the sense of respecting readers ability to contextualize and respect to the writer by not bowdlerizing or censoring.
He did use the problematic (Oliver Wendell Holmes) "Marketplace of ideas". I liked how Jason Stanley phrased it, but to paraphrase marketplace of ideas only works when people are rational. Bernays has something to say about that. Ibbitson suggested we needed more history education in school. I would counter with we need more critical thinking taught in schools. Unless critical thinking is taught alongside history we will be doomed to repeat.

#CrticalThinking #Propagada #Freedomtoread #History #Education

Trash Fascism, Not Books! 🗑️

This benefit sticker supports our Banned Books Back! campaign to return books banned by Duval County Public Schools to kids! All proceeds go to cover postage, packaging materials, printing, and related campaign costs.

Printed by Off Color Decals on high-quality vinyl with eco-solvent inks, this kiss-cut sticker features an adorable antifascist possum illustration by Des. The removable 3" sticker is waterproof and safe for outdoor use. It is also scratch and UV fade resistant for up to 5 years of extreme cuteification of your car, laptop, or water bottle!

We’re almost 80% funded! Help us get all the way by heading to https://firestorm.coop/products/21029-banned-books-back-benefit-sticker.html

#BannedBooksBack #TrashFascismNotBooks #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #MutualAid #DuvalCounty #DuvalCountyPublicSchools #FeministBookstore #FirestormCoop (-Esmé).

Join our first Banned Books Back! packaging party and help us send books removed from Florida public schools back to kids in Florida! On Sunday, January 28th from 11am - 2pm ET we'll be packaging free picture books and chapter books along with zines and stickers. No experience is necessary, we'll show you how it's done! 🫡

For the past few weeks we've been collecting requests from kids and their advocates in Florida and at we've got a backlog of hundreds of orders to fulfill! Do you read the news about the rise in book-banning in our region and want to do something about it? Now is your chance!

Invite your friends of all ages! https://firestorm.coop/events/3139-banned-books-back-packaging-party.html

#BannedBooksBack #TrashFascismNotBooks #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #MutualAid #DuvalCounty #DuvalCountyPublicSchools #FeministBookstore #FirestormCoop (Esme)

We just passed the halfway point of our fundraising goal for Banned Books Back! Moms for Liberty, eat your hearts out! 😏

To recap, our collective received a serendipitous donation of children's books that had been removed from Florida schools as part of an ongoing effort to censor titles depicting queer joy, civil rights history, immigrant stories, and more. Right now, our collective is harboring dozens of boxes of these "dangerous" titles — but not for long. Later this month, we'll be calling on our local community to help package bundles and send these Banned Books... Back!

Thank you so much to the folks who have boosted this effort, including but not limited to Autostraddle, The Washington Post, LGBTQ Nation, so many rad bookseller buddies, and the 270+ folks who've donated. 💓

You can still help by contributing to the crowdfunding campaign (https://givebutter.com/bannedbooksback), or request a book package directly if you're a kid or for a kiddo in your life through https://cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/form/view/XYzGVoEYnT+hkblrTJy2D8aYzHb295vmVgyJc0NTz+0

Keep reading dangerously, kids! If it didn't matter, they wouldn't try so hard to stop you 👀

#BannedBooksBack #TrashFascismNotBooks #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #MutualAid #DuvalCounty #DuvalCountyPublicSchools #FeministBookstore #FirestormCoop (Esme)

We've been sitting on something exciting... and we're finally ready to share! In 2023, our focus was on building a new home for Firestorm. Well, our next big project will launch in January, reaching far beyond our local community: with your support, we're going to send thousands of books pulled from schools and classrooms in Duval County, Florida, back to the kids they were intended for!

It's kind of a wild story! Last winter our co-op was unexpectedly entrusted with 22,500 books for grades K-5 that would otherwise have been destroyed. More than half feature queer characters or history, and many revolve around Indigenous, Black, Brown, and Asian protagonists. That's 11,000 pounds of titles that right-wing politicians and small-minded school administrators conspired to keep out of the hands of young folks in one of Florida's most racially diverse counties.

We love giving away free books, but this project is a little complex because we're committed to getting as many of the books as possible to kids in Florida, and Duval County in particular. Packaging and delivering thousands of titles across state lines will take serious resources, so today we're launching a crowdfunding campaign to support the effort. Will you help us?

Visit https://givebutter.com/bannedbooksback to learn more, make a donation, and share our call to action!

#BannedBooksBack #TrashFascismNotBooks #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #MutualAid #DuvalCounty #DuvalCountyPublicSchools #FeministBookstore #FirestormCoop

Picture / children’s #books that piss book #censors #banners off. #censorship #FreedomToRead #FirstAmendment https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/books/banned-picture-books.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Half of challenged #books, or books targeted by #censors for #censorship, return to schools. LGBTQ books are #banned most.
More findings from a Washington Post analysis. #FreedomToRead #FirstAmendment
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/23/school-book-challenges-shelves-lgbtq-authors/

After being fired for opposing book censorship, three librarians have filed workplace discrimination claims with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

🔗 https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/librarians-turn-civil-rights-agency-oppose-book-bans-firings-rcna124161

#LibraryWorkers #ProtectLibraryWorkers #Librarians #EEOC #LGBTQ #PublicLibraries #DefendLibraries #NoBookBans #FreedomToRead #ReadBannedBooks

#DeathPanel speaks with #MariameKaba and #MelissaGiraGrant about the importance of understanding the library as a site of political contestation and a rare expression of the commons in contemporary US life, and how left organizers are fighting back against right wing attacks on public space

🔗 https://soundcloud.com/deathpanel/taking-back-the-library-w-mariame-kaba-melissa-gira-grant-110923

#PublicLibraries #ProtectLibraryWorkers #DefendLibraries #NoBookBans #FreedomToRead #ReadBannedBooks

At 10 AM on Wednesday, October 4, show your support for libraries and the freedom to read.

Use the hashtag #FreedomToRead.

Tag NYC libraries in your posts as well: #NewYorkPublicLibrary #NYPL

https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/banned-books/day-of-action