New Bills in Iowa Threaten to Tighten Obscenity Provisions for Libraries

House File 274 would repeal a section of the Iowa Code that addresses obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions, while Senate File 347 proposes steep fines for sharing allegedly obscene work with minors. American Library Association president-elect Sam Helmick called the legislative pairing “a parfait of awful.” Continue reading at 'Publishers Weekly'

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-20 05:00:00 UTC ]

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The Future of Libraries Involves Affordable Housing

The Boston Public Library is the latest in a string of public libraries to plan to incorporate affordable housing into its buildings. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-04-19 18:13:54 UTC ]
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Texas Library to Stay Open—For Now

After garnering national headlines, a group of Llano county commissioners on Thursday voted to table the idea of closing its public libraries. But as a federal lawsuit over the library's illegal removal of books it deemed offensive continues, library supporters say the library's future remains... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries are under attack—and so are library workers

Libraries are increasingly being targeted by local and state legislators and protestors trying to ban books and block LGBTQ content. How is that affecting the people who work in them? Scratch nearly any kind of story—political, social, economic, cultural, and so on—and you’ll find a labor... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-04-14 03:00:00 UTC ]
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Llano County Keeps Public Libraries Open Amid Book Ban Controversy

Officials in Llano County considered closing the entire library system in lieu of returning challenged titles to its shelves. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-04-13 23:55:21 UTC ]
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The Guardian view on US book bans: time to fight back | Editorial

Censorship is surging thanks to an organised rightwing minority targeting books on LGBTQ and Black characters and issues“A book is a loaded gun in the house next door,” warns a character in Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s dystopian vision of an America where books are considered so dangerous they... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-13 17:21:33 UTC ]
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TLA 2023 Preview: Texas Librarians Unite!

The 2023 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, set for April 19-22 in Austin, comes at a crucial moment for the state’s librarians. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Texas Ranks Among Lowest on Library Use, Highest in Book Bans: Library Use & Spending By State

What states spend the most money on their public libraries and what states see the most use per person? Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-04-06 11:21:40 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: March 31, 2023

Among the week's headlines: bomb threats over Juno Dawson's 'This Book Is Gay' highlight the increasing threat level librarians and teachers are facing; Missouri lawmakers vote to defund the state's public libraries; and PEN America's Nadine Farid Johnson tells Congress that the country is... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: March 24, 2023

Among the week's headlines: Congress passes a 'parental rights' bill; Illinois advances its bill to prohibit book banning; Missouri lawmakers seek to pull funding from public libraries in the state; and Julie Stivers has been named School Library Journal's 2023 School Librarian of the Year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Congratulations, we did it: 1,200 book bans in 2022.

The American Library Association (ALA) tracked 1,269 demands to censor library books and other resources last year, double that of 2021 and the highest in over 20 years; the highest since the ALA began tracking such things. Of the titles reported for whatever supposed thought crimes, the vast... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-23 15:00:01 UTC ]
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Attempts to Ban Books Doubled in 2022

A new report from the American Library Association showed a spike in censorship efforts, with 1,269 attempts. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-03-23 13:10:19 UTC ]
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ALA Reports Shocking Increase in Attempted Book Bans in 2022

With book banning and legislative attacks on the freedom to read continuing to surge across the country, the American Library Association tracked a stunning 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, nearly double the record-shattering 729 challenges recorded in 2021. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Should Public Libraries Double Down on Print Book Collections?

Data from the IMLS show gate counts and circulation have been falling for more than a decade. U.K.-based library advocate Tim Coates says print books hold the key to reversing the trend. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: February 24, 2023

Amid criticism, Puffin revises its plan to soften some of the language in Roald Dahl's classic works; North Dakota passes a new law that wou ban sexually explicit materials in public libraries; and Library Futures releases a policy paper on digital ownership. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-24 05:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Libraries, You Are My Heroes’: Readers Share Memories of a Favorite Haven

A photo essay celebrating the versatility of public libraries prompted an outpouring of enthusiasm from card-carrying book lovers. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-02-19 10:00:09 UTC ]
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Book Review Podcast: Public Libraries, and Profiling Paul Harding

A celebration of community libraries and their expanding role, and a look at the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Paul Harding. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-02-17 17:56:54 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: February 17, 2023

Among the week's headlines: PEN America reports that 'educational censorship' bills are continuing to spread nationwide; the Utah Library Association delivers a powerful statement on censorship; and registration is now open for the 2023 ALA Annual Conference, set for June 22-27 in Chicago. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Turning Nairobi’s Public Libraries Into ‘Palaces for the People’

A Kenyan nonprofit is restoring iconic public libraries, leaving behind a segregated past and turning them into inclusive spaces. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-02-04 10:00:30 UTC ]
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Children’s book ‘Freewater’ wins Newbery, Coretta Scott King awards

The American Library Association has announced the top children’s and young adult books for 2023. This year’s John Newbery Medal for best children’s book went to Amina Luqman-Dawson’s novel “Freewater” about a community of people who escaped slavery. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2023-01-31 16:14:22 UTC ]
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