1. “From Iowa to Florida, national lawsuits against local book bans begin to gain traction” (Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2024) 

2. "Bill targeting book bans raise concerns about the penalties libraries could face" (NBC News, March 28, 2024)

3. "Red states threaten librarians with prison - as blue states work to protect them" (The Washington Post, April 16, 2024)

4. "Report: Last year ended with a search in book bans" (NPR, April 16, 2024)

5. "Lawmakers Aim to Bar Restrictions on Books at Public Libraries" (Voice of America, April 25, 2024)

6. "America's unseen book bans: The long history of censorship in prisons" (The Guardian, May 9, 2024)

7. "More States Are Passing Book Banning Rules. Here's What They Say." (The New York Times, July 29, 2024)

8. "Little Free Library has a new map to help places hit hardest by book bans" (Literary Hub, September 5, 2024)

9. "Second Circuit Says Libraries Disincentivize Authors to Write Books By Lending Them For Free" (Above The Law, September 6, 2024)

10. "The State of Academic Libraries: Book Censorship News, September 13, 2024" (Book Riot, September 13, 2024)

11. "New State Laws Are Fueling a Surge in Book Bans" (The New York Times, September 23, 2024)

12. "Memo on School Book Bans from PEN America" (PEN America, September 23, 2024)

13. "The Chilling Effect is Real: Educator's stories about preemptive book bans show how schools are censoring themselves" (Slate, September 23, 2024)

State and Regional News

• Alabama

  • "Gov. Ivey's proposed Alabama library code changes facing public opposition" (AL.com, March 27, 2024)

  • "New bill would ban 'sexual content' from minors' shelves in public libraries" (Alabama Political Reporter, April 8, 2024)

  • "Alabama House Passes Bill That Could Be 'Used to Arrest Librarians'" (Common Dreams, April 26, 2024)

  • "Bill to criminalize Alabama librarians for 'obscene' content fails in the Senate" (AL.com, May 11, 2024)

  • "State board adopts new policies tying Alabama library funding to book restrictions" (Alabama Reflector, May 17, 2024)

  • "Bill to arrest librarians filed for 2025 session" (Alabama Political Reporter, July 10, 2024)

• Alaska 

  • "Northern Justice Project, ACLU of Alaska Win Preliminary Injunction Ordering Mat-Su Borough School District to Return Removed Books to School Libraries by August 14" (ACLU Alaska, August 7, 2024)

• Arizona 

  • "Students can be punished for sharing library books in this Arizona school district" (The Arizona Republic, March 8, 2024)

• Arkansas 

  • "Rapert tries to block funding for libraries using Arkansas over 2023 obscenity law" (Arkansas Advocate, February 9, 2024)

  • "Plaintiffs seek permanent injunction of Arkansas' blocked library obscenity law" (Arkansas Advocate, May 16, 2024)

  • "In Arkansas, Book Banners Dealt Another Legal Setback" (Publishers Weekly, October 3, 2024)

• California 

  • "California bill would stop book banning by public libraries" (Courthouse News Service, April 10, 2024)

  • "California ban on book bans passes key vote" (Courthouse News Service, May 23, 2024)

  • "California advances library book bans ban for targeting LGBTQ sexual content" (The Center Square, August 5, 2024)

  • "Huntington Beach city attorney says it will fight bill that prohibits public libraries from banning books" (LAist, August 31, 2024)

  • "California makes it harder to ban books in public libraries" (EdSource, October 1, 2024)

• Colorado 

  • “Anti-Book Ban Bill Introduced in Colorado” (Book Riot, January 22, 2024) 

  • "New Colorado law aims to protect public libraries from partisan book-banning battles" (The Denver Post, June 4, 2024)

• Connecticut

  • "New CT bill could curtail authority of local school boards to ban books" (CT Mirror, March 14, 2024)

• Delaware

  • "Legislation introduced to help avert book bans at public libraries" (Delaware Public Media, March 11, 2024)

• Florida 

  • “Book publishers, authors and Escambia parents get ‘major win’ in book ban lawsuit” (Pensacola News Journal, January 10, 2024) 

  • “After national backlash, Florida lawmakers eye changes to book restrictions” (Politico, January 19, 2024) 

  • "DeSantis tweaks Florida book challenge law, blames liberal activist who wanted Bible out of schools" (Associated Press, April 16, 2024)

  • "Are Florida's book removals in schools protected government speech? Judge is not convinced" (Tallahassee Democrat, May 1, 2024)

  • "Parents sue Florida Board of Education over book ban policy" (Florida Phoenix, June 6, 2024)

  • "Florida bill limits citizen-led school book objections to once per month" (The Independent Florida Alligator, July 8, 2024)

  • "Major Publishers Sue Florida Over Banned School Library Books" (The New York Times, August 29, 2024)

  • "'Watershed moment': Facing lawsuit, Florida school board returns banned books to shelves" (Tallahassee Democrat, September 13, 2024)

• Georgia

  • "Georgia educators sue school district over race, LGBTQ classroom restrictions" (ABC News, February 14, 2024)

  • "Georgia GOP senators seek to ban sexually explicit books from school libraries, reduce sex education" (Associate Press, February 21, 2024)

  • "Georgia Senate passes bill banning American Library Association from state libraries" (Advocate, March 2, 2024)

  • "Civil rights complaint filed against Cobb County Schools over book ban" (11Alive, May 15, 2024)

  • "Book Ban Prevents Georgia Students from Reading About Sexuality and Racism" (Atlanta Daily World, September 2, 2024)

• Idaho 

  • “Idaho bill on ‘harmful’ library books moves forward after most public testimony opposed it” (Idaho Statesman, January 15, 2024) 

  • "Revamped bill to remove 'harmful materials' from libraries heads to Idaho Senate" (Idaho Capital Sun, February 12, 2024)

  • "Idaho Republican legislators revive library materials bill" (Idaho Capital Sun, March 11, 2024)

  • "Idaho Legislature passes bill requiring Idaho libraries move 'harmful materials'" (Idaho Capital Sun, April 3, 2024)

  • "Idaho Law Criminalizes Librarians Who Allow LGBTQ Books to Stay on Their Shelves" (truthout, July 12, 2024)

  • "New lawsuit seeks to stop enforcement of Idaho library materials bill" (Idaho Capital Sun, July 25, 2024)

• Illinois 

  • “Law prohibiting book bans in Illinois now in effect” (CBS News, January 1, 2024) 

• Iowa 

  • "The five biggest book publishers in the US are suing Iowa over its book ban law" (CNN, April 18, 2024)

  • "State asks federal court to lift injunction on Iowa book ban law, 'support Iowa's youth'" (Des Moines Register, June 11, 2024)

  • "Iowa Law Requiring Schools to Remove Books with Sexual Content to Take Effect" (The New York Times, August 9, 2024)

  • "Federal appeals court rules Iowa's book ban law can take effect" (Iowa Public Radio, August 9, 2024)

• Kansas

  • "Proposed bill looking to create standards for 'book bans' in Kansas" (12News, February 9, 2024)

• Maryland

  • "Maryland's 'Freedom to Read' act bans book censorship in libraries, bolsters rights amid national debate" (WJZ News, April 26, 2024)

• Massachusetts 

  • “Lawmakers weigh standard to guard access to library books” (NBC Boston, January 12, 2024) 

• Minnesota 

  • "State law prohibiting book bans effective August 1" (The Minnesota Daily, June 23, 2024)

• Missouri 

  • "Eight Circuit tosses lawsuit challenging Missouri school district's book-banning policy" (Courthouse News Service, August 2, 2024)

  • "Francis Howell school board will restrict books, conversation about gender identity" (St. Louis Public Radio, August 19, 2024

• Nebraska

  • "State Education Board rejects rule to ban sexually explicit books in all school libraries" (KETV, March 8, 2024)

  • "Governor names book banner to Nebraska Library Commission" (The Brookings Register, September 4, 2024)

• New Hampshire

  • "House votes down bill to allow State Board of Education to remove books from schools" (New Hampshire Bulletin, February 16, 2024)

  • "Senate passes bill that would require a book complaint procedure in public schools" (Concord Monitor, April 19, 2024)

• New Jersey 

  • "NJ bill would protect librarians from harassment amid push to ban books" (NorthJersey.com, February 26, 2024)

• New Mexico 

  • “Bill before Legislature aims to prevent libraries from banning books on ‘partisan or doctrinal’ grounds” (Santa Fe New Mexican, January 21, 2024) 

  • "New Mexico lawmakers move forward with bill to prevent book bans" (KRQE News, February 7, 2024)

  • "New Mexico's Anti-Book Ban Bill is Dead" (Book Riot, February 22, 2024)

• North Carolina

  • "Removal of books with gay parents prompts federal complaint in Moore County Schools" (WRAL News, May 15, 2024)

• Ohio

  • "Ohio bill would charge teachers, librarians with felonies for handing out 'obscene materials'" (NBC4, May 29, 2024)

  • "Ohio bill would defund public libraries for displaying 'harmful' books" (NBC4, June 12, 2024)

• Oklahoma 

  • "Edmond Public Schools challenges Oklahoma State Department of Education's attempted book ban" (Oklahoma Voice, February 20, 2024)

  • "Oklahoma Supreme Court rules in favor of Edmund Public Schools in library book dispute" (Oklahoma Voice, June 11, 2024)

• Oregon

  • "Oregon passes anti-book ban bill" (KDRV, March 6, 2021)

• Rhode Island 

  • "Democratic state lawmakers back bill protecting individual freedom to read and think" (Rhode Island Current, April 11, 2024)

• South Carolina 

  • "ACLU and ACLU of South Carolina Sound Alarm on Sweeping New Book Ban Law" (ACLU South Carolina, June 24, 2024)

  • "'Book banning' rule goes into effect in South Carolina schools" (News19, June 25, 2024)

  • "South Carolina Board of Education gains the power to ban challenged books statewide" (abc4 News, June 25, 2024)

• South Dakota

  • "South Dakota bill passes on policies to restrict juveniles' access to obscene material" (Argus Leader, February 5, 2024)

• Tennessee 

  • “Proposed bill would allow parents to sue school districts over ‘inappropriate’ books” (WKRN, January 3, 2024) 

  • "New Tennessee law on banning obscene book content sparks controversy, legal concerns" (WZTV Nashville, May 24, 2024)

  • "Tennessee law expands book bans in schools, targeting LGBTQ+ content and more" (News Channel 9, July 11, 2024)

  • "Tennessee Public School Closes Library in Response to Book Banning Law" (Book Riot, August 13, 2024)

• Texas 

  • “Controversial Texas law requiring book sellers to rate books blocked by appeals court” (Austin American-Statesman, January 17, 2024) 

  • "Texas Library Must Reshelve Controversial Books, 5th Cir. Says" (Bloomberg Law, June 6, 2024)

  • "U.S. appeals court will review its prior order in a Texas county's library book ban case" (PBS News, July 7, 2024)

  • "A Texas county has told an appeals court it has a right to cull books on sex, gender, and racism" (Associated Press, September 24, 2024)

• Utah 

  • “Updates on book ban, transgender Utah bills as they move through the legislative process” (ABC4, January 23, 2024)

• Vermont

  • "Vermont Senate advances bill to discourage book banning" (WCAX, March 7, 2024)

  • "Lawmakers deliberate bill that would give young Vermonters confidential access to library materials" (Vermont Public, May 7, 2024)

  •  "Book banning just got harder in Vermont. Here's what to know about the new law" (Burlington Free Press, July 3, 2024)

• Virginia 

  • "A Bill in Virginia Would Ban Book Bans by School Boards" (Book Riot, February 6, 2024)

  • "Youngkin vetoes bill that would've curbed book bans" (Dogwood, March 14, 2024)

• Washington 

  • "New bill prohibits Washington school districts from banning books" (KING 5, February 22, 2024)

  • "WA passes bill to protect libraries, as other states target them" (The Seattle Times, March 27, 2024)

  • "'A tool to control the thoughts and actions of people': New Washington law seeks to stop book bans" (The Spokesman-Review, September 27, 2024)

• West Virginia 

  • “West Virginia bill could open libraries to felony charges in obscenity law” (MetroNews, January 23, 2024) 

  • "West Virginia Republicans pass a bill to prosecute librarians over 'obscene' books" (MSNBC, February 20, 2024)

• Wisconsin 

  • "New Wisconsin bill targets school librarians for books that some parents consider obscene" (Green Bay Press Gazette, February 12, 2024)

1. Accusations of 'Grooming' Are the Latest Political Attack - With Homophobic Origins - An article by NPR reporter Melissa Block, also available as a 6 minute audio file, that delves into the painful history behind the use of the term 'grooming' as a political weapon.

2. A Colorado Library Board Has Voted to Ban Book Bans - A potential model for replication in your town.

3. Age-Restricted Library Cards Aren't a Solution: They're a Liability - A weekly entry of the Book Censorship News by Kelly Jensen. If you haven't signed up for these yet, do so today!

4. America's Censored Classrooms - An important report released by PEN America on its 100th anniversary examining the dangerous spike of educational gag order legislation and its impact on students: "Lawmakers are undermining the role of our public schools as a unifying force above politics and turning them instead into a culture war battleground. By seeking to silence critical perspectives and stifle debate, they are depriving students of the tools they need to navigate a diverse and complex world."

5. A New Jersey Bill Would Strip Funding From Public Schools or Libraries Banning Books - "Amid a growing national battle over censorship and parental rights, New Jersey legislators are taking steps to discourage public schools and libraries from banning books by withholding state aid from those who don’t comply."

6. Anti-Censorship Groups: Florida Attorney General Filing Says 'Don't Say Gay' Doesn't Apply to School Libraries - "A group of free expression and anti-censorship groups sent a letter to schools across Florida today, alerting them to legal filings by the state's Attorney General that the 'Don't Say Gay' law doesn't apply to school libraries."

7. A Perfectly Inoffensive School Library - What would a school library collection need to look like so that it offended no one?

8. A Public Library Bill: 'Michigan Freedom to Read Act' - A blog post from the Michigan Library Association Executive Director Deborah Mikula about the process of drafting the Michigan Freedom to Read Act.

9. As Book Bans Increase, Chicago Protects the Freadom to Read - An interview with Chris Brown, the Chicago Public Library Commissioner, on Chicago's establishment of book sanctuaries.

10. As Florida Leads Nation in Book Bans, Congressman Maxwell Frost Introduces Bill to Fight Bans and Support Educators - A press release about the Fight Book Bans Act, introduced in December 2023 by congresspeople Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Frederica Wilson, and Jamie Raskin.

11. Banned Books by State 2024 - An interactive chart that shows the number of books banned in each state during the 2022-23 school year. 

12. Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools - "Update on Book Bans in the 2022-2023 School Year Shows Expanded Censorship of Themes Centered on Race, History, Sexual Orientation and Gender" by Pen America.

13. Banning Ideas and Authors is Not a 'Culture War' - It's  Fascism - An article by Jason Stanley calling attention to the misuse of 'both-sides' framing; "The media’s framing of measures like Florida’s African American studies ban is a dangerous falsification of reality."

14. Bestselling authors join Penguin Random House lawsuit over Iowa's new book ban law - "Penguin Random House, one of the country's largest publishers, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging an Iowa state law that bans books in schools and limits what can be taught on sexual orientation and gender identity." 

15. Bill targeting 'obscene' books in schools clears Kentucky legislature - "Kentucky lawmakers sent a controversial bill criticized as a 'book-banning' measure to the desk of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear Wednesday night." 

16. Book Bans Affect Everybody - Here's How You Can Help - Written by school librarian, Alex Brown, this article clearly voices how parents, caregivers, and other concerned stakeholders can support libraries as we face an explosion in censorship attempts.

17. Book Bans Are Discriminatory And Bad, U. S. Department of Education Rules - A news article update discussing how "The ruling against a Georgia school district is a response to book bans across the country, which have targeted titles about race and LGBTQ topics."

18. Book Bans Are on the Rise. Biden is Appointing a Point Person to Address That - "President Biden announces new actions to try to address discrimination against LGBTQI+ Americans — including the appointment of a new point person at the Education Department to address an increase in book bans."

19. Book Banning in Walton County Based on Misleading "Porn in Schools Report" Illustrates Alarming Influence of Fringe Groups on Educational Censorship - A report by Pen America on a specific case that exemplifies the creeping power and reach of organized censorship efforts, including links to important figures, lists, and groups to keep watch over.

20. Book Banning in the US: These Are the Authors of Color Censors are Trying to Silence - A report by Elliot C. McLaughlin that highlights four young adult authors of color whose novels are being targeted by censorship efforts and how these efforts are tied to race.

21. BookLooks, Framed as "Objective" Book Rating Resource, A Moms for Liberty Joint - An important and careful breakdown of what this resource truly is, including who is behind it, and why it is not a valid tool for use in public or school libraries.

22. Books for Trans Teens: How Visibility Can Lead to Anti-Trans Backlash - Trans activist Will Malloy, and YA Author Kyle Lukoff talk about the importance of books for trans kids and teens, and how visibility leads to backlash.

23. Booksellers sue over Texas law requiring them to rate books for appropriateness - "Two Texas bookstores and three national bookseller associations file suit over House Bill 900, which requires private booksellers to rate books on appropriateness, and bans 'sexually explicit' material from libraries" 

24. Conservatives Are Trying to Ban Books in Your Town. Librarians Are Fighting Back - How right-wing mania is destroying the social fabric of communities across America. This article details the experience of a Michigan public library and how organizing was a positive step forward.

25. Conservatives call for criminal investigation in El Paso County school districts over 'obscene' materials - "A collective composed of nearly 20 local conservative groups has called on 4th Judicial District Michael Allen to initiate a criminal investigation of El Paso County Schools and districts for offering books and other materials the group calls 'obscene'." 

26. Conservatives Who Attacked School Boards in 2022 Are Now Going After Libraries - "Moms for Libraries is set to inject right-wing politics into school reading shelves."

27. Culturally Centered Education: A Primer - A report that "a. Defines key terms pertaining to culturally-based education; b. Explains the implications these terms have for curriculum and instructional materials; and c. Assesses the state of the culturally-based education field." [Description cited from original source]

28. Crawford County parents sue library system over relocation of LGBTQ+ children's books - "Three Crawford County parents have sued the county judge, quorum court, library board and interim library director, alleging 'unlawful censorship of materials,' specifically children's books with LGBTQ+ topics, in the county's five library branches"

29. Davis District [UT] Pulls Bible From Elementaries, Junior Highs 'Due to Vulgarity or Violence.' - "A committee tasked with reviewing books that fall under review for sexual content last week determined that the Bible will be retained at district high schools, but removed from all elementary and middle schools." Check for updates as the book is being re-reviewed.

30. Debbie Reese on Book Bans and Native Representation - In this interview with activist, scholar, and former elementary school teacher Dr. Debbie Reese, the discussion examines how the book ban trend reflects a strong fear of a just society.

31. Educational Gag Orders: How Colleges and Universities Can Respond - This article provides a fantastic and thorough explanation of what the current legislative climate is attempting to do with vaguely written gag orders, and how educational institutions can respond. While aimed at higher education, the tactics and responses recommended are easily applied in K-12 and other community organizations.

32. Educational Intimidation: How ‘Parental Rights’ Legislation Undermines the Freedom to Learn - Published by PEN America, this 2023 report discusses how "Educational intimidation bills are part of the broader, ongoing “Ed Scare”—a nationwide effort documented by PEN America to foment anger and anxiety about public education; to restrict or prohibit instruction about race, sexuality, and gender; and to ban books that address these topics."

33. Educators, librarians could face criminal prosecution and a level 6 felony over controversial books - "A controversial new law bans 'harmful materials' from schools and libraries and some say it could lead to the criminal prosecution of teachers and librarians." 

34. Embattled WA library wins lawsuit, won't shut down after book-ban fight - "The Dayton library - which was on the verge of becoming the first library in the country to shutter over disputes about what books it offers - will remain open after a Columbia County court Wednesday barred an initiative to close the library from appearing on the November ballot."

35. The Fight for the American Public Library: How to Protect Your Local Library From Book Ban Campaigns - Written and beautifully  illustrated by Ariel Aberg-Riger, the description of the article is an excellent summary: "National Library Week in the US comes amid a period of turmoil for libraries, as efforts to censor books intensify. Visual storyteller Ariel Aberg-Riger explores the threats libraries face, their historical context and how activists are mobilizing to protect a diversity of thought." This article is also full of resources and visuals to share.

36. The Heavy Cost of Banning Books About Black Children - Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, a doctoral candidate at Harvard Kennedy School studying public policy and economics, discusses how we must "be intentional in our efforts to challenge those who think that ordinary stories are only relegated to children who look like them. And like Amanda Gorman, we must be brave enough to hear, honor, and exalt the Black children and those who dare to tell their stories."

37. Here's What Book Banning Means for Latinx Communities - An article by Meg Medina for Parents magazine, discussing the impact of book banning and book challenges on specific groups.

38. House votes down proposed rating systems for books in Maine schools - An article by Ariana st Pierre about a bill that "would have established a rating system in school libraries in response to repeated challenges over books some parents believe are age inappropriate."

39. How to Beat a Book Ban: Students, Parents, and Librarians - An article by Adam Gabbatt of The Guardian that highlights examples of ways groups are pushing back against censorship efforts nationwide.

40. How a Far-Right "Christian" Cell-Phone Company Took Over Four Texas School Boards - From NBC: "Patriot Mobile markets itself as “America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider.” Now the Trump-aligned company is on a mission to win control of Texas school boards."

41. How to Fight Book Bans and Challenges: An Anti-Censorship Toolkit - An article by Kelly Jensen at Bookriot that provides a great background on the role of media, news organizations, polarization, misinformation/disinformation, on the current uprise in book challenges, along with practical steps for addressing these issues.

42. How to Support Diverse Books During a Book Ban - An article by JoAnn Yao, Diversebooks.org, on ways to fight book challenges in your local community.

43. How to Thwart an Anti-Equity Agenda: Advice for Teachers, Administrators, and Families - Katy Swalwell and Noreen Naseem Rodriguez explain in detail why ignoring right-wing smear campaigns will not make them go away, and what you can do about them instead.

44. Huntsville Public Library Privatized After Pride Display - An article by Kelly Jensen at Bookriot describes how a Texas public library is no longer.

45. Idaho bill would allow parents to sue over 'harmful' books in schools, libraries - An article by Ryan Suppe about a proposed bill that would 'open schools and public libraries to lawsuits for allowing minors to obtain books, films and other media that depict sexual content deemed 'offensive'."

46. Idaho Library Crackdown Continues: Two more book banning bills head to Idaho Senate - An article by Laura Guido about two new bills, "aimed at restricting access to harmful materials in schools and libraries, while adding criminal penalties." The bill also proposed adding "public libraries, museums, and other public entities to existing laws that ban disseminating material harmful to minors."

47. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signs school book banning bill - An article by Salome Cloteaux about the passing of Indiana House Bill 1447 which prohibits schools from claiming "legal protecting by using 'educational purposes'" as an explanation for providing materials deemed "obscene" or "harmful to minors."

48. Indigenous Reads Rising - A website managed by We Need Diverse Books that aims to celebrate Indigenous children's literature of Native Nations.

49. Inherit the Wallflower - A write up by Frank Strong that describes the steps and tactics parents and community members in Conroe ISD (Texas) successfully used to push back on censorship efforts by new board members.

50. Inside Moms for Liberty's Close Relationship with the Proud Boys - "A VICE News investigation has uncovered links between numerous Moms for Liberty chapters and extremist groups like the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, sovereign citizen groups, QAnon conspiracist, and Christian nationalists."

51. Iowa teachers union and a book publisher launch a second lawsuit against the state's book ban law - "The Iowa State Education Association joined with publishers Penguin Random House to ask a federal court to block enforcement of the law (SF 496), which also prohibits instruction relating to sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through sixth grade."

52. Judge blocks Arkansas law criminalizing libraries and bookstores for providing 'harmful' books to minors - An article by Abby Baggini about the partial blocking of a law that "would have held librarians and book vendors criminally liable for knowingly making available to minors material that would appeal 'to a prurient interest in sex'."

53. Judge blocks most of an Iowa law banning some school library books and discussion of LGBTQ+ issues - An article from the Associated Press about the preliminary injunction of an Iowa law "that bans some books from school libraries and forbids teachers from raising LGBTQ+ issues." Hundreds of books had already been removed from Iowa schools.

54. Judge halts Texas book-rating law from going into effect Friday; state likely to appeal - "A federal judge has said will grant several Texas booksellers a temporary injunction to stop the enforcement of House Bill 900, a new law set to go into effect Friday that would have banned sexually explicit materials from schools and required vendors to rate each book they sell to a school for sexual relevance."

55. A Kansas City Library System Has Banned LGBTQ Pride Book Displays in Children's Areas - "The new policies are a reaction to rules from Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft that ban libraries from “age-inappropriate” displays for teens and children. Staff of Mid-Continent Public Library say the policies are confusing, and point to a work environment that is not inclusive of LGBTQ staff."

56. Kentucky Gov. Beshear allows 'book-banning' bill to become law without his signature - An article by Tessa Duvall about the passage of "Senate Bill 5, which requires schools adopt a complaints resolution policy for parents who allege that materials taught in school are harmful to minors."

57. Latest bill targeting 'obscene' materials in libraries clears House committee - An article by James Dawson about a bill that passed the Idaho House which states that "Any book, magazine or other material depicting 'nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse' could be flagged as obscene, depending on a community's standards."

58. Librarians sue over Missouri law that bans 'explicit sexual material,' spurred book removals - "In a lawsuit filed by the Missouri ACLU in Kansas City, the groups allege that the law, which outlawed school officials from 'providing explicit sexual materials to a student,' is a violation of First Amendment rights and overly broad in scope and definition."

59. Libraries Must Stop Pretending They Can Be Neutral About Human Rights - An article by Alex Brown (they/them), a queer and Black school librarian and well-known author, explaining why "both sides" is a myth that allows misinformation, prejudice, and hate to gain a dangerous foothold in library spaces.

60. Libraries seeing impact of HB 1315 - A news report about the unintended consequences Mississippi's HB 1315 is having on public libraries.

61. Library Board Consensus is That Book Was Purchased Under and Abides by Library Policy - A case study on successful advocacy against censorship efforts through use of pre-existing collection development policy.

62. Louisiana governor signs bills restricting minor's access to certain library materials - An article by Piper Hutchinson about the passage of Senate Bill 7 which "requires libraries to create a card system so parents can prevent their children from checking out books deemed inappropriate." 

63. Massachusetts police apologize for 'Gender Queer' book search in middle school - "Massachusetts police apologized for searching an eighth grade classroom this week for the often-banned book 'Gender Queer' after an unidentified person complained it contained pornographic images."

64. Mat-Su School District's removal of books from school libraries prompts federal lawsuit - "A lawsuit filed Friday in federal court accuses the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District of violating six students' constitutional rights by removing books from school library shelves last spring."

65. Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Glass Doors - A famous essay written by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, this brief paper is a foundational explanation of why reading a broad variety of books, by and about a broad variety of people, is crucial for a global mindset. 

66. Mississippi law restricts e-books and audiobooks - "A bill, which went into effect on July 1, could impact the way kids access e-books and audiobooks in Mississippi. House Bill 1315 restricts certain in public schools and libraries across the state."

67. Missouri libraries now required to adopt new obscene material policy to receive funding - An article by Dennis Evans about  Missouri rule that "bans libraries from buying materials deemed obscene and from having certain displays and events in children's areas" in order for libraries to receive funding.

68. Montana becomes first state to ban drag reading events at public schools, libraries - "Montana is the first state to ban Drag Queen Story Hour events, a family-friendly activity involving people dressed in drag reading books to children at public schools and libraries, part of a host of legislation aimed at the rights of LGBTQ+ community in Montana and other states."

69. New California law bars schoolbooks bans based on racial and LGBTQ topics - "Under the new law, which went into effect immediately after its signing, the state can fine schools that would block textbooks and library books that allow students to learn about diverse communities."

70. New Bill in Congress on School Materials Addresses a Non-Existent Problem, But Would Instead Chill Public Education - An article from PEN America about the No Obscene Teaching in Our Schools Act which would "reduce federal funding to schools found to promote materials that are 'harmful to minors'."

71. New bill would hold RI school libraries liable for 'obscene' material - "Eight House lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that would hold public or charter school libraries liable for distributing 'indecent' material to minors - and add 'any cartoon, drawing, comic book, print, depiction or animation' to a list of explicit materials."

72. New Iowa law restricts gender identity education, bans books with sexual content - "Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a sweeping bill into law Friday that will restrict education about gender identity and sexual orientation and ban books with certain sexual content from school libraries, as well as require schools to notify parents if their child asks to use a new name or pronoun."

73. New Right to Read Bill Expands School Library Access, Students' Right to Read - from our friend at Bookriot, Kelly Jensen, an important bill for you to keep your eye on and for you to encourage your representatives to support!

74. New Tennessee Law Puts Schoolbook Sellers, Distributors at Risk for Criminal Prosecution - "Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a new law that puts book publishers, sellers and distributors at risk of prosecution for providing written materials to the state's public schools that may at any point be deemed obscene. The new law could open book vendors to Class E felony charges, carrying 1-6 years in prison and a minimum $10,000 fine that could be increased to $100,000 for the newly created offense."

75. NJ ban on booking books? New bill would cut aid to libraries, schools that block access - "Public and school libraries that ban books or restrict access to them could see their state funding cut if a law proposed this week by Democratic senators passes the state Legislature. The bill aims to deter a growing trend of right-wing and religious activists pressuring these institutions to remove content they say is too mature for children and teenagers."

76. North Dakota governor vetoes 1 library bill, signs another - "North Dakota governor vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have required librarians under threat of criminal penalty to screen sexually explicit materials from children, but signed another barring explicit materials from the children's sections of local and school libraries."

77. 'Not a badge of honor': how book bans affect Indigenous literature - An interview with scholar Debbie Reese about "misrepresentations of Indigenous people in children's literature" on an episode of the NPR podcast Code Switch.

78. Notes From a School Board Takeover: This Isn't Leadership. It's Vandalism - Written by Paul Bowers, a community member tracking events at his local school board, and including links to his live-tweet of the event, this play-by-play demonstrates what happens in the first 30 minutes of a Moms-4-Liberty candidate takeover of a local South Carolina school board.

79. Opponents want judge to declare Montana drag reading ban unconstitutional without requiring a trial - An article from the Associated Press about protests against a law restricting drag performance after a judge "granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the law last month, saying it targets free speech and expression and that the text of the law and its legislative history 'evince anti-LGBTQ+ animus'."

80. Pennsylvania bill would ban library book bans - "State Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montogomery) announced on Monday she would introduce a bill to stop book bans [...]."

81. Pennsylvania Senate passes bill opponents worry targets books about LGBTQ+ and marginalized people - "A bill passed on the GOP-controlled state Senate to require Pennsylvania parents to opt in their children to access deemed sexually explicit after more than an hour of passionate floor debate Tuesday."

82. Porn and Loathing in N. J.? Sex, Books, and the Culture Wars. How Parents Got Sued by a 'Nice' School Librarian - Discusses the ongoing case of NJ High School librarian, Roxana Caivano, who is suing parents for libel after being publicly targeted. 

83. Pressley introduces legislation to fight book bans - An article by Cheyanne M. Daniels about the Books Saves Lives Act introduced by Massachusetts representative Ayanna Pressley.

84. Public Libraries Are Under Attack: Here's How You Can Help - "Former librarian Angie Manfredi on the freedom to read and what you can do to support your local libraries from encroaching censorship."

85. Public Library Budgets Are Being Slashed. Police Have More Cash Than Ever. - "Proposed cuts to New York City public libraries speak to an ongoing trend that puts funding for police above education."

86. Publishers File Amicus Brief Supporting Patrons of the Llano County Library System in Little v. Llano County - Lists the publishers involved, and highlights from the amicus brief filed.

87. Publishers Refuse to Become Complicit in Texas Book Banning - "Texas’ HB 900, which will require book vendors to review books and rate them, determining if they are “sexually explicit” or “sexually relevant,” is set to go into effect September 1. And now, the country’s largest book distributor to schools, Follett School Solutions, has asked publishers to rate their books." This brief article describes the pushback by publishers who are actively fighting HB 900 through the court system.

88. Republican Wants to Expand Definition of "Child Pornography" to make it Easier to Ban LGBTQ+ Books - Discusses efforts by a new lawmaker in Wyoming to ban LGBTQ+ books from both public and school libraries.

89. Right-Wing Groups Stoked a Moral Panic about School Libraries - The article covers the beginnings of the Banned Book Club at Vandegrift High School, Leander, TX, and how youth feel silenced as parents argue over what books should be accessible to all.

90. School districts struggle to implement new laws on sexually explicit books - "Although a new Virginia law requires schools to inform parents when sexually explicit materials are used in the classroom, some districts are using the law as the basis to go further and remove certain books from schools altogether."

91. School librarians face a new penalty in the banned-book wars: Prison - An article by Cheyanne M. Daniels about the seven states that have passed laws in the last two years that could result in imprisonment and fines for librarians for "providing sexually explicit, obscene or 'harmful' books to children."

92. Schools adhering to guidelines regarding Tennessee's 'Book Ban' bill - "Tennessee passed the 'Age-Appropriate Materials Act' early last year [2022]. This requires a standardized review framework to ensure school library collections are routinely evaluated for age-appropriateness."

93. Seven Ways to Make a Case for a Challenged Book in the Classroom - The Open Blog, "a blog on race, diversity, education, and children's books," is a great overall resource for learning more about the importance of access to diverse books and educational materials. This particular article helps parents, caregivers, and classroom teachers make a case for challenged books from a reconciliatory perspective.

94. State attorney argues Iowa schools have been too broad in banning books under SF 496 - "The attorney representing the state of Iowa suggested in federal court Friday that school districts have been too broadly interpreting a new state law that restricts schools from teaching about LGBTQ+ related topics and requires them to ban books depicting sex acts." 

95. Senate Republicans agree to ban books with gender fluidity, pronouns - An article by Gloria Rebecca Gomez about how Arizona Republicans want to "give parents the power to request the removal of any book that 'promotes' gender fluidity or the use of gender pronouns, includes content they deem too lewd for their children to be exposed to, or that would 'groom children into normalizing pedophilia'."

96. State Senate votes to ban adult access to some books in libraries - "State senators on Tuesday voted to ban adults from accessing books in public libraries that have a 'predominant tendency to appeal to a prurient interest in sex.' They also voted to require high school juniors and seniors to get written permission before they can access age-appropriate library books."

97. The Obscenity Pivot - By journalist Dan Kois, "Virginia Republicans are testing a new way to ban books and restrict their sales. In the long run, it might just work."

98. The Absurd Year in Educational Censorship, From Gay Penguins to Gettysburg Address - a collection of 14 head-scratching stories on educational censorship curated by PEN America.

99. Tired of Uninformed School Board Candidates? Try Asking These Questions - Written by a former elementary school principal, this article gives you a list of powerful questions to ask those running for school board candidacy. These questions would also be useful to you if you are considering running as a candidate yourself. 

100. Tennessee law on banning books is forcing teachers to avoid teaching classics out of fear - "The 2022 Tennessee Public School Libraries Act, Amending Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, requires traditional public and charter school teachers to scan the title page of every publication in their classrooms [...] teachers who did not have the time, or who felt too intimidated by the idea of handing this over to the public eye, instead decided to box up their books and intellectually sterilize their classrooms."

101. Transgender woman, bookstore, teacher sue over Montana law banning drag reading events - "The federal lawsuit filed Thursday in Buttee argues the law violates the free speech and equal protection guarantees in the U.S. Constitution."

102. U.S. House Republicans target 'explicit' books in school libraries - "Republicans and Democrats on the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee split at a Thursday hearing about whether some books containing LGBTQ+ content should be removed from public school libraries."

103. Utah lawmakers consider proposal to make removing books from school libraries easier - An article by Lindsay Aerts about a proposed law that would lower the "threshold for when a book can be banned statewide and would allow lawmakers to challenge books in the districts they represent."

104. When Extremists Take Over School Boards, Students Pay the Price - A blog post by Ravin Rolle, a recent high school graduate from Southlake, TX where she explains why she is more involved in her school system now than she was a student.

105. Who decides what children should read? These bills take opposing responses to book ban activity - "Both Democratic and Republic authors of dueling proposals agree that parent's involvement in their children's reading activities is a good thing. But lawmakers disagree over what the role of librarians should be in those situations and whether decisions about what is appropriate should apply to everyone."

106. Who Should Have a Say Over What Is In a Library Collection? - "Dr. Emily Knox, author and professor of library and information sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joins John Williams to talk about her testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier in the week examining the impact of book bans."

107. Writing Kid Lit While Queer - A thoughtful and heartfelt post by YA author Robin Stevenson on writing as a queer author and what book challenges mean in this context.

108. 1st legal challenge to recent SC book bans comes from Pickens County - "Families of high-schoolers and the local NAACP chapter are suing the Pickens County School District in federal court, saying the school board's decision to ban a book challenging racism was unconstitutional."