Intellectual Freedom News 2/24/2024
Highlights
- Unite Against Book Bans Announces a Free Book Résumé Resource | ALA
- American Library Association opens registration for its 2024 Annual Conference & Exhibition in San Diego | ALA
Censorship
- 6 more books banned in Carroll public school libraries, bringing total to 9 | Baltimore Sun (MD)
- ‘Trainwreck’: New school board leadership in York County accused of militia ties, could face legal issues | WAVY (VA)
- Graphic novel about King Tut is latest book to be challenged in SC school district | State (SC)
- Controversy over library books persists | Roane County News (TN)
- Book ban prevention based on single parent complaint passes House of Delegates | WINA (VA)
- Buncombe County Schools Board bans NYT bestselling book; which one? | Citizen Times (NC)
- Kenosha County considers asking for ‘secure adult-only’ areas in libraries | Wisconsin Public Radio (WI)
- Plaintiffs seek summary judgment in Crawford County library dispute over LGBTQ books | Talk Business (AR)
- Prohibition of LGBTQ+ books by Alabama library makes a “mockery” of free expression | PEN America (AL)
- School Board to consider three books for removal at next meeting | Suncoast News (FL)
- Ripley’s to give Florida residents free book as school district reviews it for possible ban | WFLA (FL)
- Citizens speak out against censorship in Metropolis Public Library | WPSD (IL)
- In Conroe ISD the Books Are Quietly Disappearing Off the Shelves | Houston Press (TX)
- Osseo school board keeps controversial book in 3-3 vote | CCX Media (MN)
- Lake Luzerne library to reopen after Drag Queen Story Hour controversy | WNYT (NY)
- Book removed from Goshen Public Library to return to shelf | NBC Connecticut (CT)
Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Senators Markey and Cassidy Announce Additional “COPPA 2.0” Sponsors and Update Bill Text | Hunton Privacy Blog
First Amendment & Civil Rights
- Edmond Public Schools challenges Oklahoma State Department of Education’s attempted book ban | KOSU (OK)
- Teachers sue Georgia school district over restrictions on inclusive education | SPLC (GA)
- Judge rules in favor of parents suing Temecula school district over controversial policies | NBC Los Angeles (CA)
- Judge advances lawsuit over school board ban on teaching critical race theory | Courthouse News Service (CA)
- The NetChoice cases: Will the Supreme Court turn First Amendment law on its head? | American Progress
- Virginia sued over Glenn Youngkin’s anti-transgender student policies | Advocate (VA)
- Suit alleges Montgomery Co. schools violated teachers’ 1st Amendment rights | Washington Post (MD)
Academic Freedom & Student Speech
- Penn officials interrupt Van Pelt Library ‘study-in’ by pro-Palestinian activists, force relocation | Daily Pennsylvanian (PA)
- Indiana University abruptly canceled a Palestinian artist’s exhibit. It’s now sold out | NPR (IN)
- Indiana University Is Where Academic Freedom Goes to Die | Chronicle of Higher Ed (IN)
- Ahead of hearing, Purdue University Senate passes resolution opposing bill reforming tenure | WBAA (IN)
- Indiana Bill Threatens Faculty Members Who Don’t Provide ‘Intellectual Diversity’ | Inside Higher Ed (IN)
Legislation
- Revamped bill to remove ‘harmful materials’ from libraries heads to Idaho Senate | Idaho Capital Sun (ID)
- Georgia Senate considers controls on school libraries and criminal charges for librarians | News Advocate (GA)
- Oregon lawmakers consider bill to prevent book bans | Axios (OR)
- Washington state pushes back on book bans | Axios (WA)
- Dissolving library districts is a hot topic. Washington state bill could make it harder to do | OPB (WA)
- West Virginia Advances Bill Allowing Criminal Prosecution of Librarians Over Books | Rolling Stone (WV)
- Bills clarify that parental notice not meant to censor books | Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
- Democrats propose tweaks to parental notification law, citing censorship concerns | Virgia Mercury (VA)
- House votes down bill to allow State Board of Education to remove books from schools | WKBK (NH)
- Utah Bill Would Require Teachers to Be Politically ‘Neutral’ In Class | 74 (UT)
- Automatic statewide ban for certain books in Utah schools? Bill heads to Gov. Cox’s desk | Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
- Tennessee bill proposing school flag restrictions ignites censorship debate | NewsChannel9 (TN)
- Bill to change independence of Alabama public library boards moving through state legislature | Alabama Public Radio (AL)
- Freedom to Read Act proposes counter to book ban efforts | WBAL (MD)
- Librarians could face criminal charges over “obscene” books in some states | Axios
State & Local Governance
- Proposal calls for tax-funded libraries in Kenosha County to create secure, adult-only sections | Kenosha News (WI)
- Florida looks into official rule to discipline educators for ‘frivolous’ book challenges | Florida’s Voice (FL)
International
- 40 Years of Freedom to Read | The Review (Canada)
- Brussels spyware bombshell: Surveillance software found on officials’ phones | Politico (Belgium)
- Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China’s Hackers for Hire | New York Times (China)
Around the Web
- Little Free(dom) Library initiative aims to break down barriers throughout Black History Month | WHYY
- ‘The ABCs of Book Banning’ Depicts the Fiery Subject From a Child’s “Insightful” Eye | Hollywood Reporter
- As Owasso student dies after school beating, critics blame negativity from ‘Libs of TikTok’ | Oklahoman
- Oops! DeSantis says book challenges have gone too far | Popular Information
- A 101-Year-Old’s Fight Against Book Banning | Steady
- A Nerve Center for the Right Wing Rises in Washington | New York Times
- Pa. Catholic university’s plan to lease public library space sparks debate | National Catholic Reporter
- We now have to pass laws to protect freedoms we thought we had | Washington Post
- The 17th-Century Heretic We Could Really Use Now | New York Times
- Senate Republicans have spent over $400k in surveillance lawsuit targeting Green Bay mayor | Wisconsin Examiner
- National divide on teaching race, LGBTQ issues in classrooms captured in new survey | ABC News
- Tools for thinking about censorship | Reactor
- Reading Not Encouraged | Scales on Censorship | School Library Journal
ALA News
- Best-Selling Author Traci Sorell named 2024 Preservation Week® Honorary Chair
- Sally Miller receives YALSA’s Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant
- Miriam Tuliao to Participate in 37th Annual Great Saunter to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program
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