Mastodawn

Jim Jones Mar 10

RE: https://mastodon.social/@dmirams/116202272083344379

We need to protect libraries and librarians.

#ProtectLibraries

DrWeb Dec 23

10 ways to protect libraries and oppose book banning – Southern Poverty Law Center

10 ways you can safeguard our inclusive libraries and fight book banning

December 10, 2025, By Lindsey Shelton

As book banning becomes normalized, attacks on public and school libraries continue to escalate nationwide. The past few years have seen an unprecedented rise in challenges and removals of library books, with many targeting books that explore themes related to LGBTQ+ identities, race, gender and disability. The Southern Poverty Law Center and Read Freely Alabama recently partnered to host educational events across the state, offering guidance and tools for protecting libraries and resisting censorship.

Here are 10 actions you can take in your own community to oppose book bans:

Get involved at your local library: Make sure you have — and use — an active local library card. Check out books, attend events and utilize services to keep libraries funded and functioning as community anchors. Show that people rely on their collections, programs and public spaces.

Build multiracial, intergenerational coalitions with organizers, families, students, educators and civic groups: Broad alliances signal strong community support. They are also more effective at countering organized censorship groups. Organize, join or support advocacy groups, organizations and businesses working against censorship.

Support and amplify the work of young people fighting against classroom censorship and book banning: Young people have the most at stake when books are challenged. They are often excluded from discussions or dismissed when they speak up. Listen to what young people in your community say they need. Create space for them and uplift their perspectives.

Educate yourself and others: Familiarize yourself with the most targeted books. Be prepared to speak out in support of the freedom to read and disrupt harmful or coded language and misinformation about book content.

Speak out publicly in support of inclusive policies: Prepare talking points. Speak out in support of the freedom to read. Disrupt harmful or coded language and misinformation about book content. Sign up to speak at public meetings, write a letter to the editor or contact local officials.

Show up for school and library board meetings: Decisions happen in public meetings. Attend, take notes and push back against misinformation during public comment periods.

Demand inclusive library policies and transparency on book challenge policies: Push school districts and library boards to maintain clear, fair review processes grounded in professional standards.

Support educators and library staff: Librarians and educators often face harassment in the face of censorship. Thank them and amplify their work. Advocate for safe, inclusive workplaces.

Promote inclusive and welcoming community spaces: In addition to advocating for inclusive school and library policies, help organize events like story hours, banned book clubs, civic engagement workshops, book exchanges and more.

Monitor local political activity: Track candidates, officials and groups pushing censorship. Book banning can begin quietly at the local level. Staying informed helps you respond before harmful decisions are made.

Lindsey Shelton is a senior staff writer at the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Illustration at top by the SPLC.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: 10 ways to protect libraries and oppose book banning

#10Ways #BannedBooks #Books #OpposeBookBanning #ProtectLibraries #SouthernPovertyLawCenter #SpeakOut #SPLC #SupportEducators #SupportLibraryStaff

EveryLibrary Dec 2

Millions count on their library for Wi-Fi, homework help, job searches, and a safe place to read. Coordinated book bans and funding cuts are closing doors.

If you want shelves full and branches open, back the pushback. Donate now and your gift is matched 100% during Match-a-versary. We can’t afford to fall short.

Give today: https://www.everylibrary.org/givingtuesday
#GivingTuesday #MatchAVersary #ProtectLibraries #FreedomToRead

Spark Purcell (they/them)Sep 24

yes I disapprove of for profit companies training on library holdings (digital form, libgen is a library...) but don't forget when you talk about legal remedies to only focus on the for profit part so lawsuits don't injure fair use, or harm other libraries (like the internet archive, shadow libraries like libgen and anna's archive, or your local public library)
Stop AI training AND protect libraries and fair use!
#protectlibraries #protectfairuse

Caitlin Feb 26, 2025

This is horrifying. I have my issues with the #americanlibraryassociation - namely that it doesn't do enough/go far enough - but it is an essential resource, and is absolutely not out to get anyone.

https://bookriot.com/iowa-hf-284/

#protectlibraries #librarylife #publiclibraries #intellectualfreedom #censorship #bookbanning #bookbanningisfascism

New Iowa Bill Would Revoke Funding for Library Affiliation with the American Library Association

Iowa public libraries may lose access to state funds for being affiliated by the American Library Association under a new anti-library bill floated by state republicans.

BOOK RIOT

EveryLibrary Dec 31, 2024

⏳ FINAL HOURS to make your 2024 gift!

📚 Protect the freedom to read. Defend your libraries.

👉 Donate NOW before it’s too late: https://www.everylibrary.org/appeal2024

#ProtectLibraries #FreedomToRead #LastChance

EveryLibrary Dec 29, 2024

🚨 Books Are Wanted! 🚨

Guilty of Telling the Truth.

📚 Join us in saving these fugitives of imagination and rebels of thought.

👉 Make your end-of-year gift today and protect the freedom to read:

https://www.everylibrary.org/appeal2024

#ProtectLibraries #FreedomToRead #EveryLibrary

The 500 Hats of LambdaCalculus Nov 7, 2024

Copying this over from Bluesky because it's important as hell regarding libraries.

If you love libraries in any way, you probably all know they're in need of protection and patronage. With all the book bans across so many states, public libraries will likely be our last great bastions of society and community.

This site has info on what you can do to help out your public libraries. Find out when they have board meetings and get in on them.

Because public libraries are punk as fuck. And we need to be fucking punk. 🤘

https://www.librariesforthepeople.org/

#ProtectLibraries #HackThePlanet #ReadBannedBooks