and more.
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Industry NewsMinneapolis Concert Raises Funds for Organizations Battling Book Bans
Lerner Publishing Group hosted an evening of music at an iconic venue in downtown Minneapolis to raise awareness of the impact of book bans and funds for three organizations battling bans and censorship.
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Publisher News
Summary Judgment Motions Filed in ‘Tango’ Book Banning Case
The authors of the 2005 picture book ‘And Tango Makes Three’ argue that the book’s removal from school library shelves is rooted in unconstitutional, anti-LGBTQ+ “viewpoint discrimination.” County officials insist that it is “government speech.”
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Publisher News
Florida Moves to Dismiss Publisher Lawsuit Over Book Bans
Attorneys for the state of Florida have asked a federal judge to toss a closely watched lawsuit filed by six major publishers, the Authors Guild, students and parents, and several bestselling authors over HB 1069, a newly enacted state law that critics say is fueling a surge in unconstitutional book bans in school libraries.
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Publisher News
Freedom to Read Advocates Notch a Legal Victory in Alaska
Freedom to read advocates in Alaska have settled a lawsuit against the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Alaska, which will pay $89,000 to resolve claims that it improperly removed dozens of books from school library shelves.
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Publisher News
PEN America Report Confirms School Book Bans Are Surging
The report, 'Banned in the USA: Beyond the Shelves,' confirms that 4,231 unique titles were targeted during the 2023-2024 school year, impacting 2,662 authors, 195 illustrators, and 31 translators.
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Industry News
'Freedom to Read Day of Action' Takes On Book Bans
On Saturday, October 19, libraries, bookstores, and other partners and advocates across the country will be holding community events and rallies against book banning as part of the inaugural Freedom to Read Day of Action.
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Libraries
In Arkansas, Book Banners Dealt Another Legal Setback
A federal judge has ordered the Crawford County Public Library in Arkansas to stop segregating books with LGBTQ themes into special “social sections,” finding that the policy “was motivated in substantial part by a desire to impede users’ access."
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Libraries
Publishers, Advocates File New Complaint in Iowa Book Banning Case
Following an August 9 ruling by the Eighth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, a coalition of publishers, authors, and advocates has filed a new complaint seeking to strike down the sweeping book ban provision in Iowa’s controversial law, SF 496.
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Libraries
On Appeal, Llano County Seeks Book Ban Ruling That Would Upend Public Libraries
At an appeal hearing this week, lawyers for the rural Texas county told the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that it should strike down a three-decade-old precedent and hand politicians near total authority over what books can go on—or be banned from—public library shelves.
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Publisher News
PEN America Finds New State Laws Are Supercharging School Book Bans
In the 2023-2024 school year, state legislation was "particularly critical in accelerating book bans," the report states, "making it easier to remove books from schools without due process, or in some cases, without any formal process whatsoever.”
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Libraries
Penguin Random House Creates New Role to Help Battle Book Bans
Rosalie (Rosie) Stewart, most recently manager of grassroots communications for the ALA's Public Policy and Advocacy Office, will join the publisher as senior manager for public policy, reporting directly to PRH VP Skip Dye, a key move that signals the publisher's intent to expand its battle against book bans beyond the courtroom.
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Editorials
A Letter from the Editor: The Freedom to Read Issue
With Banned Books Week just a week a way, librarians across the country remain under attack just for doing their jobs. 'PW' editorial director Jonathan Segura introduces our new issue, highlighting the vital work of those protecting our freedom to read.
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Publisher News
The Freedom to Read Issue: All Our Coverage
We dig into the scope and scale of the historic wave of censorship attempts occurring today in the United States and talk with those who are doing the vital work of fighting back. Welcome to our Freedom to Read issue.
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Libraries
Modern Day McCarthyists: The Fight Against Book Bans in Llano County
The Texas county, with a population about 3,000, has become an epicenter in the fight against book banning. Leila Green Little explains how the echoes of history are playing out in rural Texas—and in communities across the nation.
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Publisher News
Freedom to Read Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the Courtroom
As a key lawsuit in Llano County is set to be heard by the full Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, freedom to read advocates consider their next moves.
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Profiles
Amanda Jones Will Not Be Silenced
The librarian, anti-censorship advocate, and debut author weighs in on the threat posed by book banners today.
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Libraries
The Battle Against Book Bans Rages On: PW Talks with Kelly Jensen
PW checks in with the 'Book Riot' writer, whose weekly Censorship News column tracks efforts to ban books in school and libraries.
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Libraries
The Resistance: Five People Standing Up to Book Banners
For many, defending the freedom to read has come at a steep cost. We recently talked with five librarians and educators who are standing up to the would-be censors.
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Bookselling
How Booksellers Are Taking On Book Banners
Alongside educators and librarians, indie booksellers across the country are rising up to defend the freedom to read.
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Book News
Children’s Authors on the Real-World Cost of Book Banning
Authors discuss how having their work targeted by censors has directly affected their livelihood and their well-being.
