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The Week in Libraries: June 9, 2023
Among the week's headlines: the Fifth Circuit hears a closely-watched book banning case; Louisiana passes a 'harmful to minors' law for library books; legal action over a flawed New York City library design; and California expands its partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
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White House Announces New Position to Combat Book Bans
In honor of Pride Month, the White House has announced a set of actions designed to protect LGBTQIA+ communities, including the appointment of a new coordinator within the Department of Education to facilitate a response to the rising number of book bans at the state level.
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Librarians, Publishers File Amicus Briefs in Texas Book Banning Case
With the Fifth Circuit set to review Judge Robert Pitman's March 30 decision to enjoin officials in Llano County, Tex., from banning library books, librarians and publishers have weighed in on the closely watched First Amendment case.
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Coalition Sues Over New Arkansas Library Obscenity Law
A coalition of 18 plaintiffs—including a powerful alliance of library, publishing, author, and bookseller groups—are suing to strike down a controversial new law that would expose librarians and booksellers to criminal liability for making allegedly inappropriate books accessible to minors.
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The Week in Libraries: June 2, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a library-led coalition has filed a lawsuit challenging a new Arkansas law that exposes librarians and booksellers to criminal prosecution for making allegedly inappropriate books available, while a new 'harmful to minors' rule in Missouri is causing confusion and concern.
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Librarians, Publishers, Bookstores Join Lawsuit Over Arkansas Library ‘Obscenity’ Law
Book business advocacy organizations, including the Association of American Publishers, will join a federal lawsuit over a law recently signed by Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that exposes librarians in the state to criminal liability for making allegedly “obscene” books available to minors.
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DOE Delivers Potentially Crucial Finding in Fight Against Book Bans
Freedom to read advocates are applauding a federal consent decree that could help blunt the surge of book bans in schools.
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The Week in Libraries: May 19, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a surprise guest inspires the annual PEN America gala; a profile of a grassroots parents group defending the freedom to read in Florida; a brewing controversy over book bans in Colorado; and Minneapolis school administrators seek to ensure every school has a qualified school librarian.
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The Week in Libraries: May 12, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a new report explores the post-pandemic funding landscape for libraries, a library board shuts down a library-hosted book group for discussing a 'political' book, and more.
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The Week in Libraries: May 5, 2023
Voters in Michigan overwhelmingly support their local libraries and oppose book bans; Illinois passes a groundbreaking bill to support the freedom to read; ALA announces its Banned Books Week 2023 theme, and more.
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Teachers Union Protests Outside Literacy Partners Gala in New York City
The Movement of Rank and File Educators turned up to the event on May 1 to protest cuts to public resources spearheaded by Mayor Eric Adams, who was being honored with Literacy Partners' Champion of Literacy Award.
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The Week in Libraries: April 28, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a challenging year for libraries recapped in the ALA's 2023 State of America's Libraries report; amid criticism, the College Board will change its AP African American studies course again; the Seattle Public Library will join Brooklyn Public Library in making banned e-books available nationwide; and Cindy Hohl is elected ALA president.
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Right to Read Act Revived In Effort to Support Librarians and School Libraries
Among its provisions, the bill would ensure all U.S. students have access to a school library staffed by a certified school librarian and would extend liability protections to teachers and school librarians.
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ALA Releases Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022
With book bans and legislative challenges to the freedom to read surging to record levels, even the top 10 most banned books list is bigger. In 2022, multiple books received the same number of challenges, resulting in the expansion of the list to 13 titles.
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The Week in Libraries: April 21, 2023
Among the week's headlines: National Library Week 2023 is upon us; PEN America report says politics is 'supercharging' book bans; the Texas House passes its school library bill; and Dolly Parton will be awarded the ALA's highest honor.
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National Library Week to Include 'Right to Read Day'
“ALA calls on readers everywhere to show our commitment to the First Amendment by doing something concrete to preserve it,” said ALA president Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada.
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OverDrive Max Titles Now Top 400,000
OverDrive Max, which enables libraries to buy bundles of up to 100 loans for specific titles for concurrent use based on library users’ demands and with no expiration dates, has more than 400,000 titles available in the program.
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Texas Library to Stay Open—For Now
After garnering national headlines, a group of Llano County commissioners on Thursday voted to table the idea of closing its public libraries. But as a federal lawsuit over the library's illegal removal of books it deemed offensive continues, library supporters say the library's future remains uncertain.
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The Week in Libraries: April 14, 2023
Among the week's headlines: concerns that 'defund the library' may become the new front in the book banning wars; the Texas Senate passes its school library bill; librarians in Illinois weigh in on the state's proposal to defend the freedom to read; and ALA launches a new initiative to combat book bans.
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Texas County to Consider Shutting Down Library After Book Ban Ruling
After a federal judge ordered the return of more than a dozen books improperly removed from the Llano County Public Library shelves, the county's commissioners are set to discuss shutting the library down altogether.
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