Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
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Discussion of censorship, equity, and other concerns.
If you didn't get all that, try this more succinct summaryFrom Batman to the Bible, potential new Florida law opens door to a single complaint banning graphic novels or manga in state schools, libraries, and even reading lists
https://www.thepopverse.com/comics-fl...
Some Florida senators are aiming to renew the state government's attack on comics.
A potential new criminal law on its way towards a vote in the Sunshine state could, if its backers get its way, further restrict access to some comics by those under the age of 18. As noted by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the Florida Senate's Criminal Justice committee has approved a new bill titled 'Florida Senate Bill 1692' along a 6-3 party line vote by the committee’s Republican leadership.
The revised bill would seeks to limit students’ ability to specific reading material in school settings, removing previously included provisions based on Supreme Court principles that requires that potentially obscene works must be judged in context with the entire book - and not for, say, one solitary instance of "nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement" - and that no works can be absolved for passing "literary, artistic, political, or scientific" standards. This could apply to anything from the sexual conduct in Maia Kobabe's oft-challenged Gender Queer to the nudity depicted in the popular Action Bible series.
Florida Senate Bill 1692 would also allow for defacto temporary banning of a work if any work the local government decides isn't objectionable if it receives a single subsequent complaint, pending a review and appeal that would need to be funded by the local school systems. If passed, any Florida school district that doesn't immediately comply with SB1692 could have their state funding pulled, among other penalties.
Alabama library honored by city after state cuts funding over book complaintshttps://www.al.com/news/2025/04/alaba...
Less than two weeks after having its funding temporarily cut by the state, the Fairhope Public Library is getting recognized by city leaders.
The City of Fairhope announced the Fairhope Library Board as its 2025 Volunteer of the Year. The recognition was made official on Monday, one week after a large crowd of library supporters showed up at a Fairhope City Council meeting to rally support for the local board and push back against attempts to cut the library’s funding.
The recognition is part of an annual honor by the City of Fairhope. The city selects a volunteer or volunteer group to recognize as part of National Volunteer Week.
“I think it’s more about supporting our volunteers who often deal with controversy,” Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan said, citing other volunteer groups with the city as well such as the historic preservation and planning commission.
“It is about celebrating the people who started volunteering for their love of the library of the city and how their role sometimes takes a dramatic turn, but they continue to serve, and we appreciate them for being willing to serve through adversity,” Sullivan said.
She said the board has gone through a capital fundraising campaign, a major renovation and many challenges this year. She said the group’s dedication has “significantly enriched the lives of Fairhope residents.”
She added, “they have devoted countless hours to the Fairhope Public Library, and I appreciate their willingness to serve. The Fairhope Library Board plays an essential role in ensuring that the library remains a well-functioning and invaluable resource for the community, providing a space for learning, growth, and connection.
The Fairhope Public Library saw its state funding cut last month by the Alabama Public Library Services (ALPS) board after hearing complaints about the type of books shelved within the library by the conservative activist group, Moms for Liberty.
The National Endowment for the Humanities got cancelled today. National History Day is in 2 weeks and that's likely not moving forward. Kids worked super hard to prepare for the contest and I hope it goes through. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/03/nx-s1-...
Trump administration ramps up threat to cut school funding over DEIStates have 10 days to affirm they aren’t discriminating based on race or risk losing federal support.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/educatio...
States have to sign and submit a certification form asserting that each of their districts do not give advantages to people based on their race, according to a memo sent to education officials by the U.S. Department of Education. The form itself warns that states or individual schools could be subject to litigation or be forced to pay back funds if they’re found to violate the law.
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The memo sent a “shock wave” through the education world Thursday, said Jonathan Collins, co-director of the politics and education program at Columbia University’s Teachers College. He sees the certification form as a green light to let the federal government comb through districts’ policies, curricular units and other activities to “essentially plant red flags when they see issues.”
“This is quite unprecedented,” Collins said.
While no school has lost federal funding over civil rights violations in decades — not since 1990, according to Education Week — education experts believe the Trump administration is getting closer to making that a reality for those that do not follow its directives.
The Education Department told Maine earlier this week that it may ask the Department of Justice this month to start the legal process of cutting federal dollars from the state’s education agency over policies regarding transgender student athletes.
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Michael Pillera, director of the educational opportunities project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said even if the administration doesn’t pull funding, these directives will likely cause educators to back away from lawful activities to avoid creating a target for the Trump administration.
“The letter in no way changed the law,” said Pillera, who worked in the department’s civil rights office until he resigned last month. “All that changed is the department’s behavior and its desire to intimidate and chill activities and school districts.”
States and schools already have to agree that they will not violate federal civil rights laws if they accept federal funding under Title I, which helps schools with high numbers of impoverished students. The new form attempts to go further, drawing on an earlier directive from the department, sent Feb. 14, that gave schools 14 days to stop using race in admissions, hiring, financial aid, discipline, grading and other aspects of school life.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Education Association are suing the department, arguing that the Feb. 14 letter oversteps the government’s legal authority and threatens educators’ First Amendment rights. The case is still pending, and the department asked this week for an extension until April 11 to file a response, according to court records.
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Liz King, senior director of education policy at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, an advocacy group, said the latest directive could become a “gotcha game” where violations are decided based on how they comport with Trump’s agenda, rather than legal precedent.
I'm getting whiplash from Elizabeth School Dist. in ColoradoJudge orders Colorado's Elizabeth School District to place 19 banned books back on its library shelves by this weekend
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news...
Local News
Judge orders Colorado's Elizabeth School District to place 19 banned books back on its library shelves by this weekend
colorado
By Jesse Sarles
Updated on: April 3, 2025 / 5:35 PM MDT / CBS Colorado
A federal judge has refused a request from a school district in Colorado to put a hold on her ruling that mandates the restoration of 19 different books to its school library shelves. The Elizabeth School Board voted to remove the books from school libraries last year due to concerns over violence, discrimination, s--ual situations and other content.
The superintendent says parents overwhelmingly approved of the district's decision to remove the books from the shelves -- saying they were inappropriate for kids.
Two parents, the Author's Guild and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the ban in December. Last month, a federal district judge ruled that the books need to go back on the shelves. The "students' interest in accessing books in their respective school libraries is constitutionally protected" by the First Amendment, Judge Charlotte Sweeney wrote in her decision.
From BookRiot's Literary Activism NewsletterCharleston County, South Carolina
CCSD school board member urges public library to move sex education book to restricted area
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health
A popular book for preteens about puberty and sexual health is the target of a Charleston County School Board member, calling it "p----graphic" and demanding that the county's public library keep the title away from kids.
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In a thread of January emails recently obtained by The Post and Courier through a public records request, school board member Michele Leber asks Angela Craig, the public library's director, and four county council members through her personal email account to move "It's Perfectly Normal" to a restricted section of the library where children can't access it without parental consent, contending it violates state laws.
Leber attached cartoon drawings from the book depicting a variety of couples engaging in s--ual relations, naked children looking at their bodies and an (view spoiler)
First published in 1994, "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender and Sexual Health" by the late Robie Harris has been widely praised for its medically accurate, comprehensive and detailed information. It's also one of the most challenged books nationally by parents concerned about its images.
Leber said in a statement provided by her advisor, Christopher Slick, that the county library currently allows children to access books depicting "p----graphic material."
"I believe this is wrong, and I don’t apologize for it," Leber said. "As a member of the Charleston County School Board, it is my duty to protect children, and that is exactly what I will do.”
In her email to library staff and County Council members, Leber included a September 2024 request from a Charleston resident asking the library to "get rid of (the book) or relocate it to a section and make a special card so children cannot check it out."
Leber's email signoff includes her title as a school board member and notes that she is the wife of state Sen. Matt Leber, a Republican lawmaker who recently has insisted that library board members swear an oath to the Constitution. She also references an unspecified incident when she conducted a citizen's arrest.
Craig said in an interview that "It's Perfectly Normal" has only been challenged once and went through the library's reconsiderations process, during which a panel of five staff members read the text in its entirety, looked through a comparable collection of titles and determine the book should be kept in the teen section.
She said Leber's initial email requested that the library change a decision it had already made.
According to the library's circulation numbers, the book's print version has been checked out 50 times since it was added to the library's collection in 2021 — 15 since July 2024 — and 25 times digitally.
Craig noted that prior to Leber's email and the book challenge in September, library staff decided that teen nonfiction titles should be integrated into the adult nonfiction section due to low circulation of the teen books and to open up space for a newly curated collection for middle graders.
"What we have found on a more patron/individual basis, is that parents come in checking out books like 'It's Perfectly Normal' and other health literacy books so that they can have conversations with their kids about sensitive subjects like that," Craig said.
Library staff rely on parents to decide if something is appropriate for their kids, and now that the book is in the adult nonfiction section, she believes those conversations will occur more naturally, Craig said.
She added that the library has received scattered requests to permanently remove certain books from the shelves but has not done so.
"We cannot imagine a scenario where that would happen," she said. "Per policy, we could, but we have not because usually there is a place for the title and it just means that it's not appropriate for the age group."
Keith Grybowski, school board chairman, told The Post and Courier that the board is responsible for the policy school libraries follow in providing materials to students.
"I am confident that our staff is following our policy and the law," he said. "As a school board trustee, I have no comment regarding issues involving Charleston County libraries."
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of Evangelicalism in the U.S. at the University of San Francisco, said that currently there is a desire among conservatives to combat the "breakdown of a social order and the family as intended by God."
"There's a real sense that school is the place where you form what it means to be a citizen and an American, so if you can control the way people understand sex and gender by way of their education, then it feels like you can control the country in some larger and earnest sense," he said.
Onishi said that social media and political polarization, especially since the COVID pandemic, have made the problems worse, adding to the intensity of the backlash.
Polls show that nearly 25 percent of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ, and the percentage of U.S. adults who are religiously unaffiliated is on the rise. In South Carolina, 39 percent of adults identify with evangelical denominations, a modest decrease compared to 2007, according to a 2024 Pew Research poll.
Christopher Ewing, a historian at Purdue University specializing in modern European and LGBTQ history, said there is a distinct religious overtone to the pushback against LGBTQ-inclusive materials or medically accurate sex education.
While many parents are genuinely concerned about which materials children might be exposed to, these fears have proven to be an effective tool to rally support for conservative political projects, he said.
"Some really believe that what they're doing is trying to protect children, and we have to take that seriously," he said. "At the same time, that concern is a really useful tool to marshal support for a wide range of political objectives, especially for issues against gender identity and trans rights, which weren't on the horizon 10 years ago but now seem to be at the center of this broader backlash."
Leber wrote in her emails that she had obtained a list of books that "are likely violating state law" from booklooks.org, a website promoting itself as a resource for parents to "find out objectionable content in your child's book before they do." She then requested to be notified when the books in question have been removed to a restricted section of the library.
Derek Black, a University of South Carolina professor of constitutional law noted that while everyone sees matters of s-x according to their own point of view, obscenity laws have clear and objective parameters to help reviewers determine whether something is presented as "s-x for s-x's sake" or if it has any artistic, scientific or literary value.
"It's not about what just individual people might find offensive," he said. "It really is this sort of community approach stating that (a book) would be patently offensive to the larger community and lacks other types of value."
Tariffs could cost Ottawa Public Library 33,000 new itemshttps://ottawacitizen.com/news/new-ta...
I can't get the MSN story to work but here's the summary
Sarah Macintyre, the Ottawa library's Division Manager for Client Services , said it was preparing for the possibility that these tariffs would be triggered. “An impact of that amount of money could mean a reduction in purchasing power of almost 33,000 items,” Macintyre said.
and a shadow copy to read the whole thing
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/ot...
and also the comic industryLatest Trump Tariffs About To Hit The Comic Book Industry Explained
Trump's new tariffs increase comic book import costs, impacting publishers and retailers.
China comics face 54% tariff, devastating razor-thin profit margins for creators.
Fictitious foreign tariffs debunked, revealing U.S. retaliation rather than reciprocity.
Tariffs strain an already challenged comic book industry, disrupting global trade.
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/trump...
California has an anti-book ban law... yet....the minority continues to be vocal about pushing their hate-filled agenda. In the Redlands Unified School District, the Board of Education is controlled by "traditional values" people who are at odds with the REST of the community. The overwhelming majority is NOT in favor of these harmful policies.https://www.redlandscommunitynews.com...
Most of the school board, composed of Board of Education President Michele Rendler, Board of Education Board Clerk Jeannette Wilson and Board member Candy Olson favored amending its educational goals and objectives — more specifically, limiting access to instructional material deemed explicit. The trio also advocated for a policy mandating that district staff, such as administration, teachers and school counselors, inform a student's caregiver upon learning of any request for a name change. Board of Education Vice President Patty Holohan and Board member Melissa Ayala-Quintero opposed all the discussed proposals.
Olson wrote and submitted much of the debated policies. Rendler began collaborating with Olson on a "Ceremonies, Observances, and Flag Policy" but withdrew her participation over time; however, she still supported much of it. The policy allows only the American and California state flags to be displayed at district schools. The proposed amendments also included language stressing inclusivity and neutrality while prohibiting district employees or volunteers from engaging in political or ideological advocacy on school property.
The workshop meeting scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. — lasting well over an hour after its estimated timeframe — did not have any actionable items; rather, it directed district staff on how to proceed with the proposed policies. Discussions between board members were often contentious at times. The public sentiment of those who attended the meeting was overwhelmingly against all the presented potential approaches. Over 40 community members spoke out against the changes for over an hour and a half during public comment — only three voiced support for Olson's suggested guidelines.
Olson's proposed draft sought language to make new considerations on all implemented instructional material to the board's Concepts and Roles policy. The submitted policy states that the district's education program "shall not include pervasive p----graphy, e---tica, graphic descriptions or depictions of violence (including s--ual violence), inappropriate vulgarity or profanity, or other obscene material. The district's program and instructional materials shall be age-appropriate and course-related."
Rendler, on multiple occasions, voiced her discomfort with books that contained s--ual content or graphic descriptions of s--ual acts and violence. Olson believes that the current system of challenging a book is not adequate.
RUSD procedure for handling challenging or questionable material begins by first making a formal complaint to a school site's principal. If the administration believes further action is necessary, it will inform the Educational Service Division and loop in the superintendent or a Governing Board designee. The complaint then heads to a school evaluation committee for deliberation. After the committee makes its decision, it sends a report to all of the aforementioned parties. The applicant who submitted the complaint may choose to apply any decision. The board also has the authority to make final decisions.
During the last academic school year, only one of the several challenges resulted in moving a book discussing Cannabidiol (CDB) from a middle school to a high school library. CDB has a variety of purposes, including Reducing pain and inflammation and managing anxiety and depression.
"The other process doesn't work. It's too slow, and it leaves harmful material in the library for access. We should have a secondary, expedited process for harmful material," Olson said of the current policy.
Among the highly contested topics discussed between the board members revolved around a new parent notification policy.
The policy strives to span further oversight between the district and the parents or guardians of its students, referencing two Supreme Court cases, Troxel v. Granville and Pierce v. Society of Sisters — both underscoring custodial rights as a constitutional right, free from state interference.
The notification policy requires district employees to notify parents of a student's request to change any information contained in official or unofficial records, including a name change, in writing within three days.
Olson firmly believes that parental rights supersede a student's choice, "I think that the parent should be in charge and not the student. We shouldn't be directing parents to their students to find out what's going on. It should be the other way around. Parents need to be aware of all the major decisions."
Holohan strongly opposed the proposed policy, "It doesn't protect our students. We're supposed to have a safe environment. But when they come here, they come to us, they come to the school, they know the people that love them are going to take care of them," inferring that the current standing practice may be conducive to a safer space.
Discussions over a proposed flag policy drew a large crowd to the first board meeting of the new year, with community members voicing both support and opposition.
Although the board could not reach a consensus at the March 21 meeting, resulting in tabling the policy, discussion echoed similar sentiments at a Jan. 14 meeting as board members debated potential amendments restricting flag displays and limiting political or social advocacy on school grounds.
The board ultimately agreed to send out a survey to students, parents, and teachers to gather feedback — a committee of students, educators, and trustee area constituents. Olson and Wilson opposed both the survey and committee formation. Olson called the committee "unusual" and later withdrew from the discussion, stating, "I’m not in favor of a committee, but I’m also just one person."
Olson and Wilson, both members of the self-described nonpartisan group Awaken Redlands, campaigned on a "traditional values" platform and are now advocating for such policies. At the Jan. 14 meeting, Wilson questioned the necessity of additional community input on the matter, stating, "It feels like we’ve already decided. There're people who won’t agree, and there're people who are going to agree."
Redlands Unified does not currently have a specific flag policy in place. District spokesperson Christine Stephens stated that the district follows California education code regulations regarding flag displays but noted that the code does not prohibit other flags from being flown on school grounds.
Community members expressed strong opposition to the proposed changes. The local organization Together for Redlands launched an email campaign encouraging residents to contact the board to support maintaining current policies. More than 300 letters were submitted before the meeting, and according to Ayala-Quintero, 461 letters were received in total — 401 in favor of allowing flags and 60 supporting Olson’s proposal.
Sam Trad, an organizer with Together for Redlands, spoke against the amendments, arguing that schools should foster an environment that teaches students tolerance and respect for diversity. "We should be celebrating our differences instead of sweeping them under the carpet," said Trad, "This vague policy clearly limits free speech and opens our district to costly lawsuits that hurt our schools as we’ve seen in other cities."
Most speakers opposed the proposed restrictions during public comment, while fewer supported them.
Board members debated the policy for nearly an hour, with Rendler, Holohan and Ayala-Quintero all criticizing its vague language. Ayala-Quintero questioned whether the wording was intentionally ambiguous. "That’s the problem with this policy," she said. "It’s very vague, and I feel like it’s meant to be vague, to just dance within the lines of legalities."
Our old friends in Duval County are still banning books NOT from the Essential Voices collection...DCPS votes to permanently remove challenged book about s--ual abuse from high school shelves
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2...
The Duval County School Board voted Tuesday to permanently remove a challenged book about sexual abuse from high school shelves.
“Identical” by Ellen Hopkins was the first library book challenged under Florida Statute 1006.28.
According to Hopkins’ website, “Identical” discusses identical twins whose father is sexually abusing one of them. The book’s publisher, Simon and Schuster, recommends it for grades 9 and up.
The debate over the book became a little tense during public comment as people voiced their opinions representing different sides of the issue.
Most speakers were opposed to reinstating the book, but there was a handful of people who argued that not reinstating the book would be considered book banning.
“Sixteen months ago, a CDF member was escorted out of this building by five DCPS police officers. His crime? Reading from a book in Duval public schools,” Kathleen Murray with Citizen’s Defending Freedom said. “Two weeks ago, a committee of quote randomly selected volunteers voted unanimously to both restore the book to the shelves and add to the offices of guidance counselors.”
“While I hope the board recommends the book ‘Identical’ to be reinstated to our school library. I also know that there is no need for there to be a review committee in the first place. All parents already have the right to opt out of any book,” Mandy Rubin said.
The District Material Review Committee recommended restoring the book to high school libraries and adding it to high school guidance offices.
The committee considered several options in addition to its recommendation, including restoring the book behind a circulation desk, permanently removing it from Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) libraries and materials, or restoring it in the collection of DCPS libraries and materials.
A new bill in North Carolina would ban books deemed “harmful for minors” [i.e. LGBTQ+ books and "DEI" books/anything that doesn't align with their White, Christian, Nationalist viewpoints] and criminalize librarians for making such books available.https://www.newsobserver.com/news/pol...
PAYWALLED thanks to the good folks at BookRiot for reporting this.
New Hampshire republicans want to ban any content they don’t like from being taught in schools and create easy means to ban books.UGH I tried to talk to a family member to fight this but didn't really get to it. The TEENS in the family support the freedom to read.
"What's the big deal?" they ask. Maybe if Niece #2 goes up there, she can go with a box of books and hand them out to all the teens she meets.
https://ledgertranscript.com/NH-House...
Legislators advance ban on s--ual content in schools, plus 5 GOP-led bills on transgender issues
House lawmakers passed what’s effectively a statewide ban on s--ual content in K-12 schools on Thursday, which would also create a complaint and appeals process for parents to challenge books they feel are inappropriate.
With majorities in the House and Senate, Republican lawmakers also passed five other bills relating to transgender athletes, bathroom use by gender and medical procedures for minors.
House Bill 324, put forth by Tuftonboro Republican Glenn Cordelli, prohibits schools from providing any materials to students that meet the legal threshold for obscenity or fall under what the state deems as age-inappropriate or “harmful to minors.” This includes descriptions of nudity and s--ual conduct, a predominant appeal to “prurient, shameful or morbid” interests and a lack of other literary, scientific, medical, artistic or political value for minors.
In a repeat of last year, Cordelli read two excerpts of graphic s-x and rape scenes from books that he asserts are currently in at least one New Hampshire school. Other House members shouted at him and tried to end his speech, but this time Speaker Sherman Packard let him continue.
“Are these educational materials of any value to be in our school libraries?” Cordelli said. “Here is a novel idea. How about schools concentrate on academics and knowledge instead of sexualizing our children? Period.”
Book bans have swept the country in recent years, with a focus on books that are written by or about LGBTQ people. New Hampshire hasn’t made it out unscathed – several communities, like Bow, have seen challenges against school library books lately.
Many school districts in New Hampshire already have policies governing what content is allowed in their schools and providing an official forum for parents to question the materials available to their children.
HB 324 would require every school district to establish one of those policies and create a timeline and process for complaints. The decision would lie with the school principal, but if a parent disagrees with their determination, they could appeal to their local school board. If they dislike the school board’s review, however, they could take it all the way up to the state Board of Education.
David Paige, a Democrat from North Conway, agreed that schools should have these policies on the books but said having the state Board of Education – the members of which are politically appointed – constitutes unnecessary overreach by the state into local matters.
“If these determinations are truly meant to reflect community values, they should be made at the local level through locally developed policies and procedures – not by statewide political appointees,” Paige said. “School boards are not only closest to the communities they represent, they are also directly accountable to their constituents at the ballot box. If the policies and procedures they develop to deal with controversial materials do not reflect the values of their community, voters have the power to hold them accountable.”
On Thursday, the House also passed two bills banning transgender-related care for minors. If passed by the Senate, House Bill 712 would prohibit elective breast surgery and House Bill 377 would make it a Class B felony to supply puberty blockers or hormone treatments to anyone under age 18. After Republicans tried and failed to circumvent a floor debate on the legislation, a long line of Democrats took to the podium to read testimony and personal stories from families of transgender children, eliciting an exodus of GOP lawmakers from the House chamber. After over an hour of speeches, HB 377 passed, 197-167. HB 712 passed 200-165.
State senators also held a lengthy debate weighing the rights of transgender people and women before voting 16-8, along party lines, to approve Senate Bill 268. Virtually identical to House Bill 148, passed by the House last week, it allows segregation of bathrooms, locker rooms, sports and prisons by biological sex.
After several other Democrats spoke against the bill, saying it is discriminatory, unenforceable and unnecessary, one senator had a message for the transgender people of New Hampshire.
“No matter how unnecessary or misdirected or, to some, seemingly cruel Senate Bill 268 may seem, we know you were born this way, so dance on,” said David Watters, a Democrat from Dover. “You are heard, you are seen, you are loved. Be fabulous, be fierce, be free. Live free or die. Live queer or die.”
The Senate also passed two other bills relating to transgender issues:
■SB211 requires that sports teams be designated as male, female or coed and prohibits transgender girls from participating on girls’ sports teams.
■SB 96, which Republicans titled the Honesty and Transparency in Education Act, requires school staff to answer all inquiries from parents about their children “completely and honestly.”
MichiganThese people don't quit or LISTEN to reason. They prefer lies on social media to actually reading the books themselves and talking to kids about tough topics and letting kids be themselves.
A group called “Parents and Taxpayers Against P----graphy in Rockford Public Schools” is having their lawsuit to have 14 books removed from Rockford Public Schools (MI) heard this week. The lawsuit was tossed out in 2023, but they’ve appealed the decision.
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/l...
Debate on library books heard in Michigan Court of Appeals
A group looking to have 14 library books banned at Rockford Public Schools made their arguments again after a Kent County judge tossed out their lawsuit in 2023.
Protesters gathered outside the Michigan Court of Appeals in Downtown Grand Rapids Tuesday morning as judges heard arguments between Rockford Public Schools and a group calling for the ban of library books they believe to contain s---ally explicit material.
The group called "Parents and Taxpayers Against P----graphy in Rockford Public Schools" filed a lawsuit in regard to 14 library books, which was dismissed by a Kent County judge in October 2023.
On Tuesday the group made their case in front of judges as they seek to appeal the ruling.
"If this court will look at the law and clearly follow what it says, there is no right under the law for the school to have disseminated these books in the library," said attorney Helen Brinkman on Tuesday, who represents those looking to have the books removed.
Representing Rockford Public Schools, attorney Steve van Stempvoort said during his argument that the books in question must be looked at in their entirety rather than focusing on individual snippets.
"The way that is presented in the complaint is they just took little snippets out of the book, and that's not the way that the statute requires the content of the book to be analyzed," said van Stempvoort. "You have to analyze the book as a whole and determine whether as a whole, it lacks any serious literary, scientific, educational, political, artistic value."
Prior to the hearing, demonstrators gathered outside, saying that banning these books silences diverse experiences.
"It's not just books about obscenity, because that doesn't even exist in our schools, but now it's books about lessons about not bullying, and now it's lessons about you might have mental health things to support, and so everything just keeps getting stifled," said demonstrator Becky Olsen.
State Representative Carol Glanville of Michigan's 84th House District was also present alongside the demonstrators.
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More than a dozen people attended the hearing who were in support of the group looking to have the books banned.
"No matter how the judge rules, I hope that parents will realize that their children are being affected by this," said Christine Crandle, who lives in Rockford. "I don't have any kids in the public school system anymore, but kids who go through there are being raised to believe that it's okay to look at p----graphy."
Dr. Steve Matthews, Superintendent of Rockford Public Schools, sent 13 ON YOUR SIDE the following statement:
"While this issue has captivated the interest of some, our district believes that our media centers should provide material that address our student’s interests and provide them with material that can help them learn about themselves and the world in which they live. The books are not required or mandated but choice material in our media centers.
The Rockford Public Schools’ media center offers a wide variety of books, which may appeal to different students based on their age, maturity, interests, or personal struggles. Although not every book will be of interest or appropriate for all students, none of the books on our shelves are unlawful or “p---graphic,” as the anonymous Plaintiffs have claimed. As the Court already acknowledged when it denied Plaintiffs’ request for a restraining order to have the books removed, Rockford Public Schools has not violated the Revised School Code and “Plaintiffs calling the books in question p---graphy does not make them so.” We are confident that Rockford Public Schools has appropriate material that helps our students address their interests of and the complex challenges that face our students as they grow and develop."
I wish this was an April Fool's Day joke since the story was posted on April 1.Arkansas Advocate: Bill to abolish Arkansas State Library and its board advances despite librarians’ opposition
https://www.magnoliareporter.com/news...
After more than two hours of debate, an Arkansas Senate committee advanced a proposal on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 to abolish the Arkansas State Library and its board, which disburses state funding to local public libraries.
Senate Bill 536 would transfer the agency’s and board’s powers, authorities, funds, contracts and employees to the Arkansas Department of Education. The State Library is already under the department’s umbrella but operates independently.
The bill would delete all mentions of the State Library from existing state statute and make “prohibit[ing] access to age-inappropriate materials to a person who is sixteen (16) years old or younger” a condition for public libraries to receive state funds from the education department.
“My entire library, all 30,000 books, would fit inside this room,” Calhoun County Library Director Allie Gosselink said, speaking against SB 536 before the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs in the Arkansas Capitol’s Old Supreme Court room.
“I need a definition for ‘access,’ or I can’t let anyone that’s under 16… inside my door,” Gosselink continued.
SB 536 defines “age-inappropriate material” as “books, media, or any other material accessible at a public library containing images or explicit and detailed descriptions” of s--ual acts, s--ual contact and human g---talia.
The location and availability of books based on “appropriateness” for minors was the thrust of Act 372 of 2023. The law would have given local elected officials the final say over whether to relocate challenged library materials some consider “obscene” and made librarians legally liable for disseminating such materials.
A federal judge temporarily and later permanently blocked portions of Act 372; Attorney General Tim Griffin appealed the ruling in January.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, sponsored Act 372 and is the primary sponsor of SB 536.
Protecting minors from “age-inappropriate material” in libraries and detaching from the American Library Association were the two requests Sullivan said he gave the State Library Board last month as conditions of its survival. The board voted against two proposals with those stated goals from Republican ex-senator Jason Rapert, who has called for the board’s abolition.
Sullivan subsequently doubled down on his existing promise to dissolve the board. He introduced a bill in February to abolish both the State Library Board and the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, which oversees Arkansas PBS, but he said he reached an agreement with the latter in March that led him to decide not to dissolve the commission.
On Tuesday, Sullivan told the State Agencies committee that his requests to the State Library Board should not have been difficult to fulfill and that SB 536 would ensure the state’s “oversight” of entities that receive public funds.
“When people say ‘Book Ban Dan’ is taking away their library or killing their library, they chose that path,” Sullivan said.
SB 536 would require libraries to submit annual reports to the Department of Education that include “an assurance of compliance with the applicable laws of the state, rules promulgated by the department, and the policies of the public library.”
allow transgender people to use restrooms that do not match their gender assigned at birth. Sullivan has sponsored or supported laws to these ends this year and in 2023.
[I don't know about these libraries but the small local branch library I visit has TWO single person restrooms. Neither is designated for a particular gender or biological sex. PROBLEM SOLVED!]
Four library directors, including Gosselink, and Arkansas State Library grants manager Debbie Hall spoke against SB 536. No members of the public spoke for the bill.
If the education department determines a library no longer qualifies for state funding, the library would be allowed to appeal the decision as long as it can prove “the determination was made in error” or “the determination was correct but remedial actions have been taken by the public library to bring the public library into compliance,” according to SB 536.
The appeal process would not be sufficient if the law goes into effect July 1 in accordance with its emergency clause, said Misty Hawkins, regional director of the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System, which has seven branches in Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Yell counties. The library system would have to rewrite its interlocal agreements between the four counties to account for the new code and repealed code in SB 536, which is not possible to complete in only three months, Hawkins said.
“As a director, I am now doing more [to] ensure my libraries are in compliance in order to get the same amount of funding,” which is $188,000 from the state, Hawkins said.
She also said SB 536 does not specify how librarians must determine whether a book is appropriate for a 16-year-old but not for a 15-year-old. All five people who spoke against the bill said libraries already organize books on shelves in an age-appropriate manner in accordance with existing standards, and State Library Board members have made similar statements.
After rejecting the two proposals put forth by Sullivan and Rapert last month, the State Library Board passed a motion to create “non-binding policies to protect children” while honoring First Amendment freedoms and libraries’ material selection policies.
Sullivan said this was not enough to deter him from dissolving the board, partly because the majority of members still opposed removing references to the American Library Association from board documents.
On Tuesday, Sullivan repeated his criticism of a former ALA president for publicly calling herself a Marxist and the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights for stating that access to libraries should not be restricted based on a person’s age.
The ALA presidency is “a ceremonial job” that does not directly influence the policies of the nonprofit trade association that advocates for libraries and helps them secure grant funding, said John McGraw, executive director of the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library.
Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, said the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights rubs him the wrong way because it asserts “you can’t protect a 3-year-old” from inappropriate content.
Gosselink called Clark’s statement “semantics.”
“Not a single person sitting behind me will tell you that you do not need to protect a 3-year-old from certain things that are in our libraries,” she said. “That is the parents’ job. We can’t make a whole library acceptable for a 3-year-old.”
McGraw said, not for the first time, that his library system doesn’t have a mechanism to lock away books that might be appropriate for adults but inappropriate for small children.
A bill advanced later on Tuesday that would require Arkansas public school libraries serving K-5 students to segregate “non-age-appropriate s--ual content” in “a locked compartment within a designated area.” House Bill 1646 passed the House with 75 votes for it and 14 against it, mostly along party lines, and will next go to the Senate Education Committee.
SB 536 includes a limited exception to the proposed restrictions on “age-inappropriate materials.” S-x education materials would be accessible to minors between 12 and 15 years old, and those under 12 would not be able to access such materials if their parents or guardians have forbidden their access in writing.
Six of the eight Senate State Agencies committee members, including Sullivan, voted to pass SB 536. Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, voted against it. The committee’s sole Democrat, Sen. Clarke Tucker of Little Rock, was absent during the vote.
SB 536 would also require libraries to maintain a specific minimum hours of operation depending on the populations of the areas they serve. For example, a library in a community of less than 10,000 people would have to be open 1,480 hours per year in order to receive state funding, and a library that serves 10,000 to 19,000 people would have to be open 1,730 hours per year.
The library directors who spoke against the bill said this would disproportionately threaten rural libraries’ funding. McGraw called the provision an “unfunded mandate” and said it would apply unevenly to the branches he supervises in Conway and in rural areas.
Gosselink said the payroll and utility costs to meet the hours requirement at the Calhoun County Library’s main branch in Hampton would cost more than the state funding she currently receives, which is $7,100 per year.
“It’s my entire discretionary budget for programming, for books, for computers, for anything I might do that’s above and beyond opening the doors and turning on the lights,” she said.
Sullivan said county governments and taxpayers would be required to put in extra effort to make up for any library funding that might be lost, but he also said he doubted that libraries are at risk of losing funding in the first place.
McGraw challenged this statement and mentioned that the entire staff of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services was put on administrative leave for 90 days Monday. Earlier in March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to gut the federal agency that provides grant funding to libraries nationwide.
The Arkansas State Library distributes IMLS funds to Arkansas libraries. These funds support summer reading programs, interlibrary loan programs, resources for blind and print-disabled library patrons and state document depositories, Arkansas Library Association president and Garland County Library director Adam Webb told the Advocate.
McGraw called SB 536 “an unnecessary introduction of chaos” into the already uncertain landscape of library funding, and he said the bill does not include any metrics for measuring improvements within libraries that meet all of the bill’s state funding requirements.
The fourth library director to speak against the bill was Clare Graham, who oversees the five-county Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System.
“This bill imposes a one-size-fits-all approach that stifles creativity and flexibility,” Graham said. “Local libraries are already governed by their local boards that know their communities best. This bill takes that away, replacing it with centralized oversight that doesn’t understand the unique needs of each town and city.”
The full Senate will consider SB 536 Wednesday. The bill’s emergency clause requires two-thirds of the chamber’s support, or 24 votes.
A Texas School Board Cut State-Approved Textbook Chapters About Diversity. A Board Member Says Material Violated the Lawhttps://www.propublica.org/article/te...
The decision to strip chapters from books that had already won the approval of the state’s Republican-controlled board of education represents an escalation in how local school boards run by ideological conservatives influence what children learn.
...
With about 120,000 students, nearly 80% of whom are of Hispanic, Black and Asian descent, Cy-Fair is the largest school district in Texas to be taken over by ideologically driven conservative candidates. Blasingame was among a slate of candidates who were elected through the at-large voting system that ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found has been leveraged by conservative groups seeking to influence what children are taught about race and gender. Supporters say the system, in which voters cast ballots for all candidates districtwide instead of ones who live within specific geographic boundaries, results in broader representation for students, but voting rights advocates argue that it dilutes the power of voters of color.
Natalie Blasingame, a board member in suburban Houston’s Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, and others campaigned against the teaching of critical race theory, an advanced academic concept that discusses systemic racism. Most of the winning candidates had financial backing from Texans for Educational Freedom, a statewide PAC that sought to build a “stronghold” of school board trustees “committed to fighting Critical Race Theory and other anti-American agendas and curriculums.” The PAC helped elect at least 30 school board candidates across the state between 2021 and 2023, in part because it focused on anti-CRT sentiment, said its founder, Christopher Zook Jr. “You could literally go out and say, CRT, you know, ‘Stop critical race theory in schools,’ and everyone knew what that means, right?” he said. “The polling showed that that messaging works.”
Shortly before Blasingame and two fellow conservatives won election in 2021, Texas lawmakers passed a landmark law that sought to shape how teachers approach instruction on race and racism. The law, which aimed to ban critical race theory, prohibits the “inculcation” of the notion that someone’s race makes them “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.”
Blasingame made no mention of the law when she pushed to remove [textbook] chapters about teaching a diverse student body, but pointed to it as the reason for her objection in text messages and an interview with ProPublica and the Tribune. Though Blasingame acknowledged that one of the chapters had “very good presentation on learning styles,” she said removing the whole chapter was the only option because administrators said individual lines could not be stricken from the book.
The textbook referred to “cultural humility” and called for aspiring teachers to examine their “unintentional and subtle biases,” concepts that she said “go against” the law. The school board needed to act because the book “slipped through” before the state’s education agency implemented a plan to make sure materials complied with the law, Blasingame said.
State Board Chairman Aaron Kinsey, who is staunchly anti-CRT, declined to say if he thought the body had allowed textbooks to slip through as Blasingame suggested. Kinsey, however, said in a statement that contracts with approved publishers include requirements that their textbooks comply with all applicable laws. He did not comment on Cy-Fair removing chapters.
Cy-Fair appears to have taken one of the state’s most aggressive approaches to enforcing the law, which does not address what is in textbooks but rather how educators approach teaching, said Paige Duggins-Clay, the chief legal analyst for the Intercultural Development Research Agency, a San Antonio-based nonprofit that advocates for equal educational opportunity.
“It definitely feels like Cy-Fair is seeking to test the boundaries of the law,” Duggins-Clay said. “And I think in a district like Cy-Fair, because it is so diverse, that is actively hurting a lot of young people who are ultimately paying the cost and bearing the burden of these really bad policies.”
The law’s vagueness has drawn criticism from conservative groups who say it allows school districts to skirt its prohibitions. Last month, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Coppell school district in North Texas and accused administrators of illegally teaching “woke and hateful” CRT curriculum. The suit points to a secret recording of an administrator saying that the district will do what’s right for students “despite what our state standards say.” The lawsuit does not provide examples of curriculum that it alleges violates state law on how to teach race. In a letter to parents, Superintendent Brad Hunt said that the district was following state standards and would “continue to fully comply with applicable state and federal laws.”
Teachers and progressive groups have also argued that the law leaves too much open to interpretation, which causes educators to self-censor and could be used to target anything that mentions race.
Blasingame disputes the critique. A longtime administrator and teacher whose family emigrated from South Africa when she was 9 years old, she said she embraces diversity in schools.
“Diversity is people and I love people,” she said. “That’s what I’m called to do, first as a Christian and then as an educator.”
But she said she opposes teaching about systemic racism and state-sanctioned efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, saying that they overemphasize the importance of skin color.
“They seed hate and teach students that they are starting off behind and have unconquerable disadvantages that they will suffer all their lives,” Blasingame said. “Not only does this teach hate among people, but how could you love a country where this is true?”
The assertion that teaching diversity turns students of color into victims is simply wrong, educators and students told the news organizations. Instead, they said, such discussions make them feel safe and accepted.
One educator who uses the “Teaching” textbook said the board members’ decision to remove chapters related to diversity has been painful for students.
...
New YorkThe latest update in the lawsuit filed by Moms For Liberty against Clyde-Savannah School District over their demands for banning books.
https://www.fltimes.com/news/bastian-...
Clyde-Savannah’s school library media specialist was granted intervenor status in the ongoing appeal of the district’s Board of Education decision to allow five books to remain on shelves.
However, Acting Albany County State Supreme Court Justice Denise Hartman denied New York State United Teachers the same status, saying that unlike Emilie Bastian, the union would not be “directed or bound by any judgments in the proceeding.”
Instead, Hartman, in a 10-page ruling issued March 18, suggested it was more appropriate for NYSUT to file a supporting brief, called an amicus brief, as it did earlier in the matter when it was before New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa. She also noted that the New York Civil Liberties Union was previously granted status to file an amicus brief, also on behalf of the Education Department, in the case.
In New York courts, an intervenor is a person who, with permission from the court, joins an existing lawsuit to protect their own interests. Hartman found that Bastian qualified because the “outcome of this proceeding will be binding upon her and impact her ability to perform the duty delegated to her by the (school) board of selecting library books.”
Hartman is hearing the appeal brought by a Clyde minister and Moms for Liberty on the Education Department’s decision to leave five books in Clyde-Savannah’s secondary school library, including Colleen Hoover’s mega-best seller “It Ends with Us” and Ellen Hopkins’ “People Kill People.”
NYSUT Attorney Christina French also represented Bastian, and will continue in that status, although she lost the union argument. On that, Hartman sided with Nathan Moelker, associate counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice, which represents Clyde minister Jacob Marchitell and Moms for Liberty. Hartman found that French’s argument regarding the union’s interest was “too vague” and did not sufficiently warrant intervention status.
These arguments came before the case can be decided on its merits.
Mixed goodish news... Still censorshipFalls Church Library in Virginia will not be removing a Palestinian themed children’s book from the collection, though they are relocating it from the children’s to the adult section.
A Palestine-themed alphabet book will remain on the shelf following a review by Falls Church staff, but it’s moving to a different part of the library.
https://www.arlnow.com/2025/04/02/pal...
A resident’s complaint in February about “P is for Palestine: A Palestine Alphabet Book” prompted a flood of nearly 4,500 emails to the city, library director Megan Dotzler told the Library Board of Trustees at a meeting last week. The vast majority of emailers called for removing the book, which critics have accused of antisemitism.
Library staff determined that the book does not violate Mary Riley Styles Library’s standards. However, they moved the piece from the picture book section to children’s nonfiction.
That is the more appropriate place for it, Dotzler said, given the “complex topics that will require adult explanations for some children.”
The 2017 book by Golbard Bashi is particularly controversial for a passage titled “I is for ‘Initifada.’” The word, often translated as “uprising,” has disputed connotations.
Supporters of Palestine often use the term to talk about resisting Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, but critics have argued the word is antisemitic and promotes violence against Jews and Israel.
Reading from written remarks during the trustees’ meeting, Dotzler quoted library policy, noting that the library “does not endorse any particular views expressed in the materials it selects.”
Of the thousands of emails the city received about “P is for Palestine,” only about 200 were in favor of retaining the book, library officials said. They noted that most emails on boths sides appeared to be part of coordinated efforts at the national level and were not from Falls Church residents.
The city resident who lodged the initial complaint, who has not been named by library officials, at first sought to appeal the decision to the board of trustees, but later withdrew the request, Dotzler said.
File under sheer blind panic and loyalty to a certain party? Now we're banning RAINBOWS? Just rainbows? and school mascots because... rainbows? How ridiculous can you get?South Carolina-
Kelly Jensen of BookRiot reports: "Beaufort County Schools have now seen LGBTQ+ stickers removed from schools. This school system was the one where there were over 90 book challenges from the local M4Land while most books were kept, there were a handful the district decided to ban."
https://www.islandpacket.com/news/loc...
MAY BE PAYWALLED
The Beaufort County School District directed faculty at two high schools to remove certain LGBTQ+-related items after three parents claimed they violated federal and state policy eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in classrooms. District officials informed staff at Hilton Head Island High School and May River High School last week that failure to remove the items — a sticker which depicted a school mascot with rainbow colors and a magnet of a Pride flag — could impact federal funding, district spokesperson Candace Bruder wrote in an email. This may include Title IV funding and free or reduced lunch programs.
...
Before instructing the schools to remove the LGBTQ+ materials, the district consulted legal counsel, Bruder wrote. At Hilton Head High School, staff were asked to take down stickers displaying a rainbow-colored seahawk mascot, while at May River High School, a teacher was asked to remove a Pride flag magnet from their classroom.
There were also reports that “Safe Space” business cards — intended to foster a safe environment for students, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+ — had been targeted for removal. These small cards, often displayed outside classrooms or by school social workers, featured a rainbow and the message, “...welcoming safe space for everyone.” Bruder was unaware of any recent directive regarding these cards. The cards were distributed by the district years ago before Superintendent Frank Rodriguez’s tenure, she added.
At least one parent told the district that they submitted a complaint through the newly launched EndDEI.Ed.Gov portal, created by the U.S. Department of Education to collect reports of alleged discrimination based on race or sex in publicly funded K-12 schools, Bruder wrote. The portal allows individuals to submit details of concerning practices, which the department may use to guide investigations. The other two parents sent emails to the school district voicing their concerns.
Read more at: https://www.islandpacket.com/news/loc...
'All Boys Aren’t Blue' tops the ALA’s list of most challenged books in 2024 : NPRhttps://www.npr.org/2025/04/07/nx-s1-...
FloridaThese companion bills have each made it through one committee in both the Florida House and Senate. This means one of them can still become law this session, if leaders want to use them as bargaining chips.
https://bsky.app/profile/flfreedomrea...
Every girl's hero, Judy Blume, speaks out against Florida GOP billsFlorida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social
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Judy Blume…spoke against the bills…saying book bans hurt students. Adults are afraid, she added, that books will prompt too many questions or make children change.
“Books don’t make kids become anybody else. Books make kids think.”
Blume’s 1975 novel “Forever,” about teenage romance and sexuality, has been challenged by a parent in Orange who objected to a copy found at Timber Creek High School, district documents show. The parent said the book was “p____graphic” and violated the 2023 law. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, the documents say.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/...
North Carolina's changing how they fund Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and children who would otherwise receive free books through the program may no longer be able to get them.https://newbernlive.org/changes-to-do...
Hoopla has been suspended in parts of Mississippi due to IMLS funding cuts:
https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/04/0...
Iowa's looking to edit its anti-bullying law.
"The bill removes from current law a list of 17 traits or characteristics of a targeted student that would fall under bullying, including gender identity, sexuality, race, political belief and familial status."
https://littlevillagemag.com/iowa-sen...
Kelly Jensen takes a look at the results of Illinois's Consolidated Election. They were mostly good for public library trustee races. Here's a look at the outcomes of the contested races.
One candidate of concern in the Mississippi Valley Library District 2-year position won her bid, continuing the board’s lean to the right (and while library elections are nonpartisan in Illinois, that has not stopped the local news in this area from casting candidates as one thing or another). Murphy has been against LGBTQ+ materials in the library and has also been outspoken against the library staff’s desire to unionize.
Perhaps of deepest concern is the future of Talcott Public Library in Rockton, Illinois, a Rockford suburb. This library has been beleaguered for years by groups targeting the library’s inclusive programming and collections. An far-right state politician from the region drummed up enthusiasm for a slate of extremists vying for a position on the board by riling up Facebook followers with disinformation related to the types of books being made available in public schools and libraries locally.
In My Daddy's Belly: The story of a Transgender Dad giving Birth
Chesney endorsed three candidates for Talcott’s trustee election, including Lindt and Kelley, who each won their campaigns. For what it’s worth, nothing in Chesney’s post is remotely true and thanks to the good efforts of a local librarian, it was made clear that the book showcased didn’t reside in any of the regional public libraries.
https://buttondown.com/wellsourced/ar...
Among the 92 employees that Carroll County Public Schools intends to cut next fiscal year are 36 school media center staff21 books were banned in the school district last year, including several *after* the passage of the state's anti-book ban bill.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/car...
Georgia - Parents demand action on 'inappropriate books' in Catoosa County Schoolshttps://newschannel9.com/news/local/p...
Some parents claimed the Superintendent made a promise in 2023 to remove inappropriate materials from public schools.
However, they say inappropriate books still appeared in Catoosa County classrooms between August of 2023 and February of 2024.
They cited books like "The Fault In Our Stars," "The Hate You Give," and "Paper Towns."
Parents also read excerpts to prove their point...
This received pushback from school board members.
"There's a process in place to take care of this. This is not the process, and we don't need to hear it."
Superintendent Nix says that anytime there is a complaint of material that is harmful to minors, all the parent or guardian has to do is notify the principal.
The principal then takes the complaint to a committee to review that book.
"If that book is determined to be inappropriate, they remove the book. It's that simple."
Superintendent Nix says no one has ever used the book appeal process in the county since its passage in 2022.
Nevertheless, parents still pushed for the board to take action.
"I am hoping very, very deeply that you guys will take this very seriously. This is a valid concern for those us who have gone through the school system, especially who have children still in the school system."
PEN America and Maryland ACLU Argue in Legal Filing that U.S. Education Department Policies Will Turbocharge Book Bans and Expand Censorship https://pen.org/press-release/pen-ame...
PEN America has filed a “friend of the court” brief, together with the ACLU of Maryland, in a case challenging the Trump administration’s sweeping assault on free speech and ongoing campaign to eliminate views other than those it favors on race, equality and identities in schools and universities.
The brief filed Friday in the U.S. District of Maryland supports a lawsuit brought by the American Federation of Teachers, its Maryland chapter, and the American Sociological Association, challenging the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights’ “Dear Colleague” letter of Feb. 14 that calls on all schools (from pre-K to higher education) to end “illegal DEI practices.”
The brief argues that the Trump administration, through its use of vague language and misinterpretation of Supreme Court precedent on anti-discrimination law, is employing the same intimidation tactics that have been used at the state level to chill academic speech and censor books and classroom topics by instituting unconstitutional government-mandated viewpoints about racial and other identities.
The brief further argues that the Feb. 14 letter is part of the “Ed Scare,” a wave of educational censorship mandated by state legislatures that PEN America has documented over the last four years. The suppression of classroom topics and books bans are designed to erase disfavored ideas about race, racism, and U.S. history, as well as LGBTQ+ identities.
The “Dear Colleague” letter borrows from the Ed Scare’s template by using “anti-discrimination as a pretext to censor speech to the detriment of students, educators, and schools,” according to PEN America’s brief. It notes that the guidance in the letter could “prevent educators from teaching truthfully about slavery, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, antisemitism, Japanese internment, and other historical developments that require acknowledging disparate treatment of racial groups and the existence of race-based discrimination.”
Shelf Awareness hosts panel to address Iowa book bans – The Scarlet & Blackhttps://thesandb.com/50860/features/s...
‘When Life is Hard, Books Help’: An Interview with Laurie Halse Anderson
https://pen.org/when-life-is-hard-boo...
The Naval Academy banned books. Across the street, they treasure them.
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/op...
Across the street, St. John’s students study the Great Books.
“Our method of teaching is based on the text,” President Nora Demleitner said. “So, in a class, students would not be discussing current events. What they’re saying in the hallways, in the dormitories at night, is a very different issue.”
"I grew up in Germany, so book bans are just an anathema to me,” Demleitner said. “I’ve seen photos of the 1930s when the Nazis not only pulled the books but burned the books.”
They’ll be reading Angelou on Saturday at City Dock as a protest. People offended by the purge plan to read it aloud as 48 hours of free speech.
...
At St. John’s, students read Hawthorne’s meditation on sin in “The Scarlet Letter” and Twain’s critique of American slavery and hypocrisy in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
They read de Beauvoir on sexism, Marx on capitalism and Baldwin’s explanation of racism to white people.
“I wanted to be confronted with ideas that have shaped the world I live in,” said Helen, a student from Germany.
We agreed not to use her last name. Federal agents are sweeping up foreign students who dissent. She’s writing her thesis on de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America,” with his warning about tyranny of the majority.
“Sometimes it’s not great to read about an author who doesn’t think very highly about women,” Helen said of Nietzsche and others. “But his opinions have still shaped the world.”
We already knew this but...The ALA reports Majority of attempts to ban books in US come from organized groups, not parents
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
72% of demands to censor books were initiated by pressure groups, government entities and elected officials, board members and administrators, reported the American Library Association (ALA). Just 16% of ban attempts were made by parents, while 5% were brought forward by individual library users.
“These demands to remove and restrict books and other library materials are not the result of any grassroots or popular sentiment,” read the ALA’s 2025 State of America’s Libraries report, published on Monday. “The majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from well-funded, organised groups and movements long dedicated to curbing access to information and ideas.”
Many of the organisations leading the book censorship movement are so-called “parental rights” groups – most prominently Moms for Liberty. This group has strong ties to the Republican Party and has been labelled “extremist”.
“They aren’t always moms, they don’t always have kids, and they definitely don’t care about ‘liberty’ for everyone else,” wrote the American Civil Liberties Union’s Paul Bowers in late 2023.
Radnor school board could return banned books to the high school libraryThe board is also considering revising or eliminating its policy that allows parents to challenge books.
Paywalled
https://www.inquirer.com/education/ra...
PAYWALLEDHundreds join meeting of CT library commission seeking to censor LGBTQ books
https://www.courant.com/2025/04/09/hu...
Connecticut Library Association Condemns Kent Memorial Library Commission's Proposed Youth Collection and Acquisition Policy
The Connecticut Library Association (CLA) condemns in the strongest terms the proposed Youth Collection and Acquisition Policy proposed by the Policy Subcommittee of the Kent Memorial Library Commission. Their attempt to codify viewpoint discrimination, disregard intellectual freedom, and infringe on the constitutional rights of Suffield residents is not only counterproductive but also fundamentally un-American.
https://ctlibraryassociation.starchap...
The ALA Sues Over the Scuppering of the IMLS(And several state attorney generals are suing DOGE)
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
Anyone in Texas? oppose HB 3225!The Texas Freedom to Read Project announces:
HB 3225 to be heard by the State Affairs Committee Meeting on Monday, April 14 at 8AM
Provide In-Person Testimony (ATX) or Submit Written Comment (Online) against HB 3225
In-person verbal testimony: Witnesses are usually given 1-2 minutes to make their public comment on the bill they wish to speak about. You will need to declare your name, and whether you are speaking "for" "against" or "on" (neutral) HB 3225. Note, if you have more to say, than can fit in your given time, you can provide both in-person verbal, and online, written public comment. Be prepared to stay all day- bring food, water, chargers, electronics, books, and patience. Find out more about how to register, once you arrive at the Capitol, here.
Written comments (can be submitted remotely and ahead of time): Can't testify in Austin on Monday? Texas residents can submit written comments through the Texas House's Online Public Comment form here. Be sure to select HB 3225. State that you are against the bill, and share why. The Committee Meeting Agenda states written comments will be accepted until Monday's hearing is adjourned.
For in-person verbal testimony, witnesses (you!) will need to arrive at the Texas Capitol and make your way to the John H. Reagan Building Room 120 (JHR 120) in time to sign in at a kiosk outside the meeting room before the meeting begins. Paid parking is available at the Capitol Garage found at 1201 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701.
The committee members may ask witnesses questions, so be prepared to answer them. It is okay to answer that you do not know, and offer to get back to them with more information.
Emotion in your testimony is okay- just be respectful and speak calmly, clearly and with purpose.
Write down and practice your testimony ahead of time. You can read from it during your turn to speak.
If you hear upsetting or inflammatory comments from other speakers, you need to maintain your composure in the room. Exit quietly if you need to excuse yourself and take a break.
Speak from your heart and include short personal anecdotes.
Consider how HB3225 will impact access to books and resources for children, teens and families in your community.
Consider how HB3225 limits your rights as a parent, since there is no opt-in, opt-out requirement for you to decide what books and sections of the public library your minor child may access.
Share how unrestricted access to "adult" sections of the public library helped you grow, develop and learn as a child or teen, or how you have seen unrestricted access meet the needs of children in your life.
Share your thoughts on the government interfering with your rights as a parent to decide what books and are not appropriate for your minor children and teens to read.
Send an Email
Email the Texas House State Affairs Committee to share your concerns and opposition to HB 3225.
You can use this simple email form to contact the Committee Members with a few clicks- or you can draft your own email to send them.
https://www.txftrp.org/r?u=HJUahUlDyv...
Make Some Phone Calls
Call the members of the Texas House State Affairs Committee and state your opposition to HB 3225. Phone numbers for committee members can be found here.
https://www.txftrp.org/r?u=HJUahUlDyv...
Here's a sample script you can use when contacting the Texas House State Affairs Committee Members - be sure to personalize it for your individual use!
"Hi, my name is {first name}. I am calling to ask Representative {insert name} to oppose HB3225 that will be heard by the State Affairs Committee on Monday. For years, we have been told that books being removed from public school libraries and classrooms, are not book bans, because parents and students can find those books at their local public library. Now, this bill is proposing to restrict our kids' access to books in our local public libraries, too. As the bill is written, there is not even an option for parents to opt out of the restricted access for their own children. Parents- not the government- should determine what books are and are not appropriate for their own children to read. Please protect Texas parent's rights, and vote "no" on HB3225."
Now what business is it of theirs what people in the UK choose to read? Now quit wasting your life sharing conspiracy theories on social media, go parent your own children and butt out of everyone else's business! Thank goodness the new PM has more sense than a certain other world leader and wants to have conversations with his kids about tough topics! Librarians in UK increasingly asked to remove books, as influence of US pressure groups spreads
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
Requests to remove books from library shelves are on the rise in the UK, as the influence of pressure groups behind book bans in the US crosses the Atlantic, according to those working in the sector.
Although “the situation here is nowhere [near] as bad, censorship does happen and there are some deeply worrying examples of library professionals losing their jobs and being trolled online for standing up for intellectual freedom on behalf of their users”, said Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip).
Ed Jewell, president of Libraries Connected, an independent charity that represents public libraries, said: “Anecdotal evidence from our members suggests that requests to remove books are increasing.” The School Library Association (SLA) said this year has seen an “increase in member queries about censorship”.
Most of the UK challenges appear to come from individuals or small groups...
However, evidence suggests that the work of US action groups is reaching UK libraries too. Alison Hicks, an associate professor in library and information studies at UCL, interviewed 10 UK-based school librarians who had experienced book challenges. One “spoke of finding propaganda from one of these groups left on her desk”, while another “was directly targeted by one of these groups”. Respondents “also spoke of being trolled by US pressure groups on social media, for example when responding to free book giveaways”.
It is “certainly possible that the scale of censorship we’re seeing in the US will influence the debate over here”, said Jewell. However, the level of influence to date is far from clear, particularly because the nature of censorship requests in the UK seems to differ from those brought forward in the US.
Censorship by pupils in UK schools, including “vandalising library material, annotating library books with racist and homophobic slurs”, and damaging posters and displays was identified in Hicks’ study, which she wrote about in the spring issue of the SLA’s journal, The School Librarian. Such censorship “is not something I have seen in the US”, she said.
The types of books targeted may also differ. “Almost all the UK attacks reported in my study centred on LGBTQ+ materials, while US attacks appear to target material related to race, ethnicity and social justice as well as LGBTQ+ issues,” said Hicks.
While the study was small, the “LGBTQ focus of book challenges was undeniable”, wrote Hicks. Challenges were levelled against Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper series, about the love story of two British schoolboys, and “coded” narratives in books such as Billy’s Bravery by Tom Percival, about a boy who wants to dress up as his favourite superhero, Nature Girl.
This supports the findings of an Index on Censorship survey last year, in which 28 of 53 librarians polled reported that they had been asked to remove books from library shelves, many of which were LGBTQ+ titles. In more than half of those cases, books were taken off shelves.
However, a 2023 study by Cilip, which found that a third of UK librarians had been asked by members of the public to censor or remove books, did identify themes of race and empire as among the most targeted, along with LGBTQ+.
While there may be differences in how the challenges are playing out, “this should not take away from the huge impact these attacks are having” in the UK, said Hicks. “My research demonstrates that UK school librarians are facing equivalent levels of distress and hostility in the face of book ban challenges such as these.”
... “Library leaders in the UK are paying close attention to what’s happening in the US and there’s definitely a strong feeling of solidarity with American librarians,” said Jewell. Coiffait-Gunn of Cilip added that the profession “looks on with deep concern at the increasingly polarised and political debate” in the US about “what people, especially children, are allowed to read”.
One cause for concern in the UK is the “lack of robust evidence” about how widespread censorship is, said Coiffait-Gunn. “It’s hard to evidence what doesn’t happen and which books are not available.” The government does not tally how many school libraries or librarians there are, “let alone track book bans”.
Most UK libraries follow the Cilip ethical framework, which states that published materials should not be restricted on any grounds but the law, said Jewell. “That gives them the confidence and assurance to reject demands” for censorship. “What we must guard against is a climate where libraries avoid stocking certain books – or holding talks or activities – for fear of negative publicity, threats or intimidation,” he added. “It’s vital that libraries feel able to provide access to a wide range of perspectives if they are to facilitate the free exchange of ideas.”
And so we fight...Annapolis Book Club stages reading of Maya Angelou book after Naval Academy library removal
https://www.capitalgazette.com/2025/0...
PAYWALLED
North Dakota- deeply disturbing news.Bill restricting explicit books in libraries heads to governor’s desk
https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/04/14/bil...
[A] bill impacting libraries in North Dakota passed and awaits Governor Kelly Armstrong’s signature.
Despite the Appropriations Committee’s recommendation to defeat it, Senate Bill 2307 passed the House in a 49-to-45 vote. Public and school libraries will now need to prepare for its implications.
Bismarck Public Library Director Christine Kujawa has been working in that field for more than 20 years.
“I love the library in general and all the services we provide to the community,” said Kujawa.
Her latest challenge will be making sure her facility is in compliance with Senate Bill 2307.
“If we don’t, we could be criminally prosecuted and lose state funding,” said Kujawa.
The bill states that any book deemed s---ually explicit or obscene must be placed in an area not accessible by children. Libraries that fail to do so could lose their public funding or risk prosecution.
“As lawmakers, we have a duty to protect our children and ensure that public institutions, especially our schools, provide age-appropriate material. It does not impose undue restrictions,” said Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown.
It also requires that online resources provided through libraries would also need to be regulated to prevent minors from accessing anything considered adult material.
“We get the collection; we don’t have a say over what’s in it or not, we just pay for the collection as it’s available. I don’t know what we would do,” said Kujawa.
With no amendments made to the bill, it now sits on Governor Kelly Armstrong’s desk. Should it receive his signature, the law would take effect starting in 2026.
The bill also results in a more than $2 million price tag over the next four years to modify the state’s online information network provided to libraries.
and some better newsBook ban lawsuit against West Michigan school district dismissed by appeals court
The state appeals court in Grand Rapids upheld a lower court ruling and dismissed a lawsuit against a West Michigan school district over 14 "sexually explicit" books in its library.
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapi...
PAYWALLED
Non-Paywalled but sensational headline
https://www.yahoo.com/news/appeals-co...
In the ruling issued on Friday, the State of Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the Kent County Circuit Court’s October 2023 dismissal of the lawsuit against RPS by a group called “Parents and Taxpayers Against P____graphy in Rockford Public Schools.”
The lawsuit was filed by unnamed private citizens and past Rockford Public Schools students listed anonymously as John and Jane Doe. They wanted to halt dissemination of “s--ually explicit materials that they consider to be p---graphic and harmful to minors through the schools.”
In their ruling, the court of appeals said that the plaintiffs were not directly affected due to being former students or anonymous residents; they had no legal right to sue because criminal claims require a prosecutor’s approval or security deposit, which wasn’t provided; the books were not illegal; and the FOIA claim failed.
As towns grapple with book challenges, CT lawmakers seek to establish book ban standards https://www.nhpr.org/2025-04-14/as-to...
In 2022, there were 29 library title challenges in Connecticut, the ALA found. One year later that number quadrupled to 117.
Most of the books being challenged are intended for young readers. They revolve around gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual education, and books on race and racism.
“The librarian is a professional, who curates a collection that represents a wide range of viewpoints in the library,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Challenges dropped off last year nationwide and in Connecticut, but the number was still far higher than petitions documented before the pandemic.
But it is not just book challenges that librarians face.
Jenny Lussier, executive director of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians, said some of its members have received threats.
“We’re all professionals,” Lussier said. “We all want what’s best for our kids.”
A bill now under consideration by the General Assembly would require all libraries in Connecticut to create a process to handle book petitions – or challenges.
“We want to make sure that there is a fair and equitable way for students to have that, but also for parents to have their voices heard as well,” Lussier said.
Under the proposed bill, people could still challenge books. There would just be rules, like, a title can’t be removed because someone finds it offensive. It would also protect librarians. And the current bill language says that If someone did challenge a book, that title couldn’t be challenged in the library again for three years.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) helped introduce the measure.
“We have to make sure that the policy of the state of Connecticut is that we don't ban books because somebody doesn't like the content,” Duff said. “Somebody else might like the content.”
State Republicans say they want the measure to go further, like saying minors shouldn’t be able to access materials that have s--ually explicit content or nudity. The books they referred to had illustrations about puberty and sexuality.
“We’re not trying to ban books,” State Sen. Henri Martin (R-Bristol) said in an exchange at a February public hearing. “What we’re trying to do is protect our children.”
Others weighed in saying librarians are the experts – and are already thinking about what’s age-appropriate.
Lawmakers passed the children’s committee bill in March, along partisan lines. Duff said his caucus is supportive of the bill, and a priority for many of them. Now, it’s on the Senate calendar waiting to be called for a vote.
Suffield recently emerged as the latest focal point in the ongoing debate over what books Connecticut kids should – or should not – read.
On March 14, Suffield’s library commission put out a special subcommittee meeting agenda that included a new youth collection policy. The controversial 25-page draft would censor books on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Hours before the meeting, the ACLU of Connecticut urged the commission to reject the policy. So many people turned out to a public meeting to oppose it that the commission leader abruptly called it off, and it resumed virtually at a later date.
“It was essentially codifying discrimination against queer stories, LGBTQ stories, and it was unacceptable,” Sam Lee with the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Connecticut Library Association said. “It violated library values.”
”Parents, not officials, should guide their children's reading choices,” said Lois Crozier, a librarian and Suffield resident.
It’s still unclear to the public how Suffield’s new draft policy came forward. It had not been on the agenda at prior meetings, or discussed in the policy subcommittee. Library Commission Chairman Christine Sinopoli had no comment, and the draft policy remains an open point of debate in town.
Sen. Duff said the Suffield situation is why Democrats want to pass their bill creating a statewide standard.
“You've got people who think that they can make decisions for everybody else, and that just because they're a certain way means everybody else should be a certain way.”
The state measure would also apply to book collections, which would have to incorporate non-discrimination laws.
Over 200 people wrote in with support for the bill. June Carpenter spoke before lawmakers in Hartford and said libraries should continue to be a safe place for all points of view.
'Uncle Bobby’s Wedding is a gentle little story about a family’: Sarah S. Brannen’s 20-year fight for LGBTQ+ children’s books - PEN Americahttps://pen.org/sarah-brannens-20-yea...
Authors Speak Up About Their Books Being Misrepresented in a Lawsuit Headed to the Supreme Court - PEN Americahttps://pen.org/authors-speak-up-abou...
Robin Stevenson, author of the picture book Pride Puppy! Pride Puppy, said, “There has been a deliberate campaign of misrepresentation about these books over the past two years. This includes misleading statements intended to fuel fears and stoke anger, and outright lies—some quite bizarre—about the contents of the books.”
She noted that the reporting around Pride Puppy “has often focused on a word search connected to the alphabet, picking out particular words and images from the hundreds in the book and linking them together to imply salacious content.” For example, critics have misleadingly claimed that the book introduces children to images of leather and zippers, when in fact a parent wears a leather jacket on the L page, and there is a zipper on a kid’s hoodie on the Z page. “Both are items of clothing most kids see on a daily basis,” Stevenson said.
Sarah Hoffman
“When our son was four, and the only boy we knew who wanted to wear a dress, we looked around for books about boys like him. We found none. It was a lonely time, for him and for us,” said authors Sarah and Ian Hoffman. “So we wrote our first book, Jacob’s New Dress, to help kids like our son know that they are not alone—and to help all kids learn to be kind.
Later, they wrote Jacob’s Room to Choose, in response to their son being bullied for using the boy’s bathroom while wearing pink Crocs.
“When we see how our book is represented in the media, it’s clear to us the people objecting to it haven’t actually read it,” said the Hoffmans. “Our book is about a boy trying to use the boy’s bathroom, and a girl trying to use the girl’s bathroom. The message of our book is that all children should feel safe to use the bathroom.”
“Ironically,” they added, “that’s the scenario conservatives are demanding.”
The authors expressed hope that the people criticizing their works would take the time to read them and realize the content is family-friendly.
“Uncle Bobby’s Wedding is a gentle little story about a family,” said author Sarah S. Bannen. “I’ve read so many comments talking about sex being inappropriate in books for kindergartners. There is no sex in my book. It’s a story about a family that ends with everyone dancing at a wedding.”
“The books cited in this case are short picture books that take only a few minutes to read,” said Stevenson. “I would encourage people to do that rather than forming opinions based on what they have read online.”
THIS is what it's come to! Kelly Jensen keeps asking "How long before someone gets killed?" Books = Education = Empathy If they REALLY wanted to "protect" children, they wouldn't cause such divisiveness and hatred over something so silly. What harm do flags do? Since when is kindness literally worth killing over? I'm so glad no one was harmed but it's going to happen sooner than later. My jaw is dropping how they think it's Ok and no big deal to bring guns to school!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...
Indiana mom brought gun to grade school and threatened lesbian teacher, police say
Carrie Rivers, 48, was allegedly unhappy with her daughter's assignment about flags, a teacher, who keeps a pride flag with the phrase "be kind" on it in class, told police.
An Indianapolis, Indiana mom is facing multiple charges after bringing a gun to a school in Decatur Township, Ind.
An angry Indiana mother is facing multiple charges after allegedly bringing a gun to her daughter's elementary school and threatening the sixth grader's lesbian teacher to "kiss ur kids goodbye" after she gave an assignment about flags, officials said Tuesday.
Carrie Rivers, 48, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property and harassment in connection with the incident at Valley Mills Elementary School in Indianapolis.
Rivers threatened her daughter's teacher over "a work assignment that had to do with same-sexuality relationships," according to an affidavit supporting the woman’s arrest.
Decatur Township School Police Department officers answered a call last Wednesday about an "irate parent" on campus. When they arrived, officers noticed Rivers had something on her waistband that looked like a firearm, the affidavit stated.
"Carrie Rivers stated that she did have a gun as I was removing it from her person," responding police officer Tabetha Emenaker wrote in the affidavit. "I advised Carrie Rivers on the law in regard to having a firearm on school premises and that it was an arrestable offense. She understood and stated that she didn't even realize that she had it on because she is so used to wearing it and has been on school property with it before."
The mother then said she was taking her daughter out of Valley Mills Elementary and opting for homeschooling, police said. She also called her daughter's teacher a slur disparaging to lesbians, the affidavit said.
Police let Rivers go, but then she sent a threatening message to her daughter's teacher 25 minutes later, the affidavit states.
Rivers told the teacher that "god will condemn you to hell" and that "your (sic) a child predator," the affidavit states.
Rivers allegedly told the teacher to "say ur prayers and kiss ur kids goodbye and goodnight u never know when god says its (sic) our time so be prepared."
The teacher, who keeps a picture of her wife and daughter on her desk, told police that she "gave an assignment to the whole class with the subject matter of flags." When she was giving examples of country flags, she also referenced the rainbow flag in the classroom with the words "be kind" on it, the affidavit said.
Rivers told the teacher she disagreed with an assignment, accusing the educator of "trying to push her personal agenda in regard to sexuality on her daughter," the affidavit said. The teacher said she allowed Rivers' daughter to skip the assignment.
Still, in another message Rivers sent to the teacher, she called the educator a child predator who tells "precious innocent kids that it's ok to be in same sex relationships," according to the affidavit.
The suspect's husband, Leon Rivers, said his wife meant no harm and has a firearm for "security around all the time" and "forgot to leave it" behind when she was “rushing in” to school that day.
"We see (other parents) bring guns into the school all the time, just to drop kids off," he told NBC News on Tuesday. "I mean, you know, just coming and dropping the kids off and walking back out, like, for three seconds. They park in the front, drop the kid off, walk them in, and walk right back out."
Rivers will not be allowed on campus again, according to the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township.
"No threats were made against students or staff at that time. The police suspected that the parent had possession of a concealed handgun on her person and escorted her out of the building. At that point, they took possession of the weapon from the parent without incident outside the school. The parent stated that she forgot to remove the handgun before arriving on school property," the district said in a statement.
"After the incident, it came to our attention that the parent then sent harassing and threatening messages to her child’s teacher. A warrant was filed for her arrest, and she is not permitted on any Decatur Township school property. We are committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for students and staff, and are grateful for the quick action of the office staff and school police in handling the situation safely."
The above is why THESE hateful laws should not happen. North Carolina follows South Carolina.https://www.wral.com/story/nc-bill-ba...
NC bill banning books with s-x descriptions from school libraries passes House committee Tuesday
House Bill 636 would create committees and processes to review existing and future library books down to the school level and require reviews of all materials at book fairs -- a major funder of school library collections. It would also allow people to sue schools for damages and other remedies for alleged violations.
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Neal Jackson, R-Moore, Brian Biggs, R-Randolph, David Willis, R-Union, and Jennifer Balkcom, R-Henderson. The bill was approved by the House education committee on Tuesday afternoon, on a voice vote with many approvals and disapprovals.
[The censors cry the usual arguments and cue hysteria]
House Democrats questioned the proposal on Tuesday. “I am always wary when we talk about government censorship of books," said Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham, the House Democratic leader. "I trust parents to decide what is appropriate for their children to read more than government bureaucrats.”
During the committee meeting, Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, said she was worried Pulitzer Prize-winning books, such as "The Color Purple," "Beloved," "To Kill a Mockingbird," or "Grapes of Wrath," would be removed from libraries because they contain descriptions of s--ual assault. She noted that they've been removed from many school libraries over the years across the nation by people offended by small parts but disregarding each book as a whole, "but the book as a whole is a great piece of literature."
"This is censorship," she said.
Jackson said he intended the bill to be specific enough to remove subjectivty from process of deciding what's appropriate and what isn't and said some books "are just downright filthy."
During the morning news conference, lawmakers had a table of books they determined with inappropriate, including "Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel and "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. The former is a graphic novel memoir reflecting on, among other things, sexual orientation. The latter is a novel about a dystopian society in which women are oppressed. Both include descriptions of s-x.
The broader debate over which books are appropriate has been fueled by national groups with many local members across the country. for example, has curated lists of books and templates for people to object to them, contending they could harm young minds.
Others, such as Red Wine and Blue, have pushed members across the country to speak at public meetings in opposition.
Opponents of the movements to remove some books argue those movements are disproportionately targeting books with LGBTQ+ themes or social justice themes and that high-school-aged children are mature enough for some of the content.
...
The bill now moves to the House committee on Rules, Calendars and Operations.
House Bill 636 would require school boards to create policies for picking library books, as well as removing them. The bill states that approval of materials should be "an ongoing process" that would remove books that no longer meet criteria for inclusion in school libraries, though it doesn't specify how often books would need to be re-reviewed. It would also require that materials not include any depiction of s--ual activity or be "pervasively vulgar" — things the bill says are "harmful to minors."
The bill doesn't define "pervasively vulgar" and neither do many school board policies that already prohibit "pervasively vulgar" materials. State law already bars instructional materials, supplementary materials and textbooks from being "pervasively vulgar," but doesn't define it. In 2023, Wake school board attorneys said no case law had defined the term, either.
House Bill 636 would ensure that the restrictions are extended to library books, as well, and add depictions of "s--ual activity" to the list of things not allowable in library books.
School boards may already have policies for selecting instructional materials used in classes and in libraries, as well as policies for how materials can be challenged by parents and guardians. In Wake County, the school board has six main criteria for a librarian to consider. Those include the material's relevance to student interests, accuracy, artistic or literary quality, the possible uses for the material in academic work, how unique it is compared to other library materials, and recommendations from school personnel or students. The Durham Board of Education has a similar policy that also guides classroom libraries and other supplemental materials.
The bill would also give the school system superintendent, or a designee of their choosing, the responsibility of reviewing whether a material is appropriate. Then, the school board would ultimately review the recommended materials during a public meeting. Schools must post the recommendations to their website and include forms for school parents, school guardians or community residents to file objections to the materials.
School boards would need to establish community library advisory committees to investigate challenges. The 10-member boards would consist of five district parents or guardians and five school district employees.
The bill would require school principals to review every book or other material set to be present at a school book fair to ensure it meets the requirements of the rest of the bill.
The bill would also allow people to sue schools for alleged violations of the bill, should it become law. They would be able to get up to $5,000 in damages per violation of the law and attorneys' fees, if they won.
School boards would need to maintain a list of rejected books and submit it annually to the State Board of Education.
Author Responds to Misrepresentation of Book in U.S. Supreme Court CaseLove, Violet
https://mombian.com/2025/04/14/author...
A recent filing in an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case about LGBTQ books in the classroom shows that the plaintiffs are continuing to misrepresent the books they are targeting. One author shared her thoughts with me on how her book is being twisted.
...
The plaintiffs’ modus operandi, however, seems to be imagining sexual content that isn’t there in the books they are challenging.
All 18 authors speak out
https://mombian.com/2025/02/20/author...
Rutherford County, Tenn. has removed hundreds of books from schools. The Rutherford County School Board of Education voted to remove several books from schools during the board of education meeting on Wednesday, April 9.The board voted on a total of 22 books. Of the 22 books, the board voted to remove 16. The others they voted to retain at high school and upper levels.
https://www.wsmv.com/2025/04/10/ruthe...
Removing transgender books affects Rutherford library director search: 'Deeply concerned'
Library board meets with attorney for legal counsel
https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2025/0...
Group has questions after Rutherford County Schools removes numerous books
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/...
3 Rutherford County families, free expression organization file suit to stop book bans in county
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/...
The board voted to remove the following books:
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Oak Ridge Schools removed more than 320 titles from library shelves months after the state made changes to a law passed in 2022, the Age-Appropriate Materials Act. Amendments to the law went into effect in the summer of 2024. Some titles removed include books about art, history, poetry, Anne Frank's Diary (graphic novel) and Pinkalicious!https://www.wbir.com/article/news/loc...
Mod
College officials said they received three complaints about The Crossing, two of them from American faculty members. About a third of the vet college's staff and students are from the United States. Honestly, ANY American students or American faculty members at Canadian colleges and universities should not be catered to regarding anti Donald Trump and anti American sentiment in Canada and from Canadians at this point in time (and if there is anti American sentiment, this is ALL Donald Trump fault with his trade war and annexation threats against Canada).
I think more U.S. Americans want to move to Canada than annex Canada. I think Washington, DC has first dibs on being #51 and Puerto Rico is next in line. Art is censored here in the U.S. too. A student curated free Palestine art exhibit at Rhode Island School of Design was removed and moved to a location accessible only by students, reportedly for security reasons. The student artists are furious and chose to cancel the exhibition. Especially after students has their visas cancelled for no good reason.
https://ncac.org/news/ncac-condemns-r....
“To Every Orange Tree,” opened March 17 at Carr Haus Cafe, a student-run space on campus. It was a joint effort between the cafe and RISD Students for Justice in Palestine (RSJP) The imagery installed in the cafe was focused on anti-imperialism and Palestinian liberation. (RISD and Brown’s Providence campuses are adjacent.)
RISD administrators claimed that “unofficial complaints” about the exhibition led to unspecified “safety concerns” necessitating the closure. They are now mandating that the exhibition be moved to a small campus office that is only accessible by student ID keycards, to ensure that audiences “consent” to its viewing.
Students protest
RISD maintains that even though the show was relocated the exhibition, the school has still upheld standards guiding freedom of expression. The art on view has been removed from its original site and secured off-campus. In its place, protest signage now lines Carr Haus’s walls.
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news...
Mod
Art is censored here in the U.S. too. A s..."
Sigh, and if those pro Palestinian art projects were by non American born students, the students would likely be immediately deported (and maybe even American born students as well).
But really, considering Trump's rhetoric towards Canada, any anti American sentiment, protests etc. (as long as they are not violent) should be both tolerated and also totally celebrated (and any complaints by American faculty and students should simply be ignored and hugely denigrated).
Manybooks wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I think more U.S. Americans want to move to Canada than annex Canada. I think Washington, DC has first dibs on being #51 and Puerto Rico is next in line. Art is censored here i..."
Elbows up!
Mod
Art ..."
Definitely elbows up at least!
Mod
Necessary warning in particular for professors, students, researchers etc. considering that American border "guards" are asking academics if they agree with Donald Trump and even if they agree with Trump threatening Canadian sovereignty (and not agreeing, being critical has supposedly been enough to get oneself detained and abused).
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Out of the Blue (other topics)The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink (other topics)
My Rainbow (other topics)
Butt or Face? Volume 3: Super Gross Butts (other topics)
The Day the Books Disappeared (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jodi Picoult (other topics)Sarah J. Maas (other topics)
Ellen Hopkins (other topics)
Jodi Picoult (other topics)
Scott Stuart (other topics)
More...
Sarasota County, Florida
'WE DON'T BAN BOOKS:' District to release removed books list
https://www.newsbreak.com/the-daily-s...
During a Tuesday School Board workshop about policy updates to student library use, elected officials reaffirmed no books have been banned in Sarasota County Schools. They said that some have been “deselected” based on a five-category review criteria.
District officials plan to release a list of the names of books removed from circulation, though officials haven’t said when or how after revealing a re-evaluation had to be performed based on “human error.”
At Tuesday’s workshop, Board members raised concern the district’s promise of transparency with parents has yet to be met when it comes to removed books, regardless the categorical reason.
District staff members revealed they are working on releasing the list of removed books and reasons for each one’s removal. According to the district’s legal team, the list will shrink to a smaller, more “realistic” size after the district completes its re-evaluation.
Superintendent Terry Connor echoed the error has possibly “misconstrued” the process for some book removals to the public.
Assistant Superintendent Rachel O’Dea said that, because the challenged book process did include the age appropriate category yet, some books that were placed in the review pile that did not even meet district’s complete removal criteria.
“We don’t ban books,” she said. “We deselect them based on categories."
In some cases, O’Dea said, a book may have stayed in district circulation but at a higher grade level due to maturity content. Other books have been traded out for more appropriate content at the same reading complexity level.
The district reaffirmed trading out a book due to its content was not considered banning.
O’Dea said the district uses the term “deselect,” but admitted some books have been removed from circulation.
She said some books have been pulled due to being pornographic in nature, having s--ual content, including mention of drugs and suicide — subjects the district cannot offer due to Florida Department of Education policies.
One example O’Dea gave was the book “Son of a Witch,” a book that is a spinoff from Wizard of Oz series with mentions of r--e and drugs. [don't remember either of those things and likely teens won't either.]
Despite the book being recommended by education companies like TeachingBooks for 7-12 grade students, leaders disagree the material is appropriate.
“We aren’t teaching adults; we’re teaching kids,” O’Dea said.
Books aren’t the only things regulated by the district policy.
A student’s checkout log in their school library can be monitored, challenged and restricted by a parent for any material they deem inappropriate.
The same goes for supplemental material, including guest speakers, video clips and field trips, which parents can opt out of for their children, O’Dea said.
Tuesday’s policy was also updated to reflect a new state law allowing book challengers to have up to three minutes in front of the district book review committee to argue why a book should be removed.
Board member Tom Edwards called the updated process “highly subjective” before requesting a similar “opt-in” process be created for people wanting to challenge a book that has been removed to “level the playing field.”
O’Dea said the idea was not possible due to state regulations, but criteria could change if the state changes its regulations.