Kathy Lester

Image of lady justice beside a stack of books.

**NEW**

Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.

bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...

Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates Policy can be a powerful tool when fighting censorship in bookstores, libraries, and other places communities rely on to access information. Join experts in building and implementing policies for book...

Join me at Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates publicschoolstrong.controlshift.app/events/polic...

Was stunned to hear this news. Thank you for your work & best wishes on your next endeavor.

Congratulations!!!

Tools of Empowerment | American Libraries Magazine Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opens ALA's 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia with a discussion of her young adult memoir, True Gretch.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opened ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia with advice for young adults, from handling bullies to admitting when you're wrong. #ALAAC25

How can YOU Show Up #ForOurLibraries? We've got you covered. Here are three steps you can take RIGHT NOW at ala.org/showup

1: Speak out, tell Congress to Fund Libraries

2: Spread the word, share the campaign with your community

3: Help sustain ALA's work, because the fight isn't free

#ALAAC25

The applause says it all. Thank you, Dr. Carla Hayden. #ALAAC25

I looking forward to connecting with school library colleagues at #aasl25. Honored to be presenting with Molly Dettmann! #L4L

Nearly a Quarter of School Librarians Have Experienced Harassment Over Books | SLJ Censorship Survey Twenty-four percent of school librarians have been harassed this past year over books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent SLJ survey, which found the rate even higher among high...

Harassment Crisis!
24% of school librarians were harassed over books this year—30% at high schools. When did protecting young minds become a contact sport?
www.slj.com/story/Nearly...
#slj.com #librariesforeveryone #assaultonbooks #fREADomtoread #librariansunderffire

People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin Join us for the People’s Town Hall in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District with Senator Elissa Slotkin and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet on Friday, June 6th to tell your stories about how you ...

Join me at People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin midems.controlshift.app/events/7th-c...

Under Attack and Fighting Back Podcast Episode · School Librarians United with Amy Hermon · 05/16/2025 · 1h 15m

#librarian Christine Beachler and Dr. Hoeve share their strategies for fighting book banners. #library Special offer from Junior Library Guild
apple.co/4di138F

The Library of Congress belongs to Congress and the American people. [Logos: Show up for our libraries - American Library Association]

For 225 years, the Library of Congress has collected America’s stories and kept Congress informed. The American Library Association stands with America’s library.

Donate to Legal Fees for Librarian Christine Beachler, organized by Michelle Vanallsburg No one should be consistently attacked for doing their job as a schoo… Michelle Vanallsburg needs your support for Legal Fees for Librarian Christine Beachler

Another librarian is standing up for herself! If you feel led to do so, consider giving up a snack/treat this week and donating that $5 to my friend Christine.

www.gofundme.com/f/legal-supp...

Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Members of Congress, authors, and librarians express their anger over Hayden's removal.

Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

The American Library Association praises servic of Dr. Carla Hayden, decries 'unjust dismissal' of Librarian of Congress. [Image of Dr. Carla Hayden standing in the stacks in a library]

NEW: ALA salutes Dr Carla Hayden for her exceptional service to the nation as the Librarian of Congress. We are deeply disappointed in Dr Hayden's abrupt & unjust dismissal last night, an insult to the scope & breadth of her work.

Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...

Save Elmo!

Fund Libraries: Tell Congress to invest in libraries. ALA American Library Association, #FundLibraries.

We need EVERY library advocate to raise their voice in support of library funding. Take action NOW, call Congress to #FundLibraries: bit.ly/Call2FundLibraries

Time is running out to Fund Libraries next fiscal year. Congress MUST act to include libraries in the next federal budget. #ForOurLibraries

Second federal judge rules against dismantling IMLS. In response to a lawsuit from 21 state Attorneys General, a federal judge in Rhode Island has ruled that the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is likely illegal. This is the second federal court to rule against the slashing of the agency, following a ruling in ALA’s separate legal case in Washington. Show up for our libraries. ALA American Library Association.

NEW: A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the gutting of the Institute of Museum & Library Services is likely unlawful. This is the SECOND federal court to rule against the slashing of the only federal agency dedicated to library funding.

Learn about ALA's own legal case: ala.org/IMLS-lawsuit

Federal Court halts dismantling of IMLS in ALA lawsuit. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia grants temporary restraining order.

🚨 Today, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order to halt the administration’s dismantling of IMLS—a direct result of the lawsuit filed by ALA and @afscme.bsky.social.
www.ala.org/news/2025/05...

#ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries

Happy Independent Bookstore Day 📚

Not everyone can always get to their library. It’s important for kids, for people to build their home libraries. To discover books they love so much they reread them over and over and over again.

Enter one of the library’s greatest friends… the indie bookstore 💛

New Hampshire lawmakers debate a book ban that could punish teachers, librarians A bill to restrict or ban student access to some books puts New Hampshire smack in the middle of a major battle in America's culture wars.

I'm glad local NPR is covering the pro-book ban law under consideration in New Hampshire, but it's frustrating that it continues to present "both sides" as if one of those sides is not totally lying. THERE IS NO "TRIPLE-X STUFF" IN SCHOOLS. They should say that. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...

Students at Pentagon schools sue Hegseth over book bans on race and gender Lawsuit argues that culling library books prevents children from learning about health, hygiene, biology and abuse

And the students are fighting back.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Picture of Ed Garcia of Cranston Public Library, Rhode Island State Librarian Karen Mellor, and other advocates standing in front of a federal courthouse in Providence with attorneys representing the Rhode Island Attorney General.

Today, Rhode Island library advocates attended the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by 21 state Attorneys General to halt the President's dismantling of the Institute of Museum & Library Services.

Thank you to the Attorneys General showing up #ForOurLibraries.

Use your own voice: ala.org/showup

A lawsuit filed against Rockford (MI) Public Schools (RPS) over 14 library books described as “sexually explicit” has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals. (Wood TV)

www.slj.com/story/Studen...

Libraries are for everyone!

I oppose the Trump Admin’s efforts to ban books, eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), & slash funding for public libraries that would cut services.

Let’s keep libraries free, accessible & welcoming to all!

Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025. "Stories and art draw us together, inspiring all of us to discover our own unique talents. Libraries are essential to that process—now more than ever!" Cartoon illustration of child on the floor writing "Drawn to the Library"

Thank you to everyone who made #NationalLibraryWeek 2025 memorable! Special thanks to Honorary Chairs @goraina.bsky.social and @scottmccloud.bsky.social and our friends at Scholastic. Libraries are essential—now more than ever—and with your support, they’ll thrive for generations to come. 💙📚

Take action today. Right to Read Day. April 7, 2025 #RightToReadDay. #DrawnToFreedom. Unite Against Book Bans. bit.ly/RightToReadDay. Above the text is an illustration by Nate Powell featuring people at a public library and various things you can do at the library.

It’s #RightToReadDay.
NEW data from @oif.bsky.social shows that 72% of book bans in 2024 were initiated by organized groups and elected officials. We need EVERYONE to #UniteAgainstBookBans & take action against these organized attempts today: uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea... #DrawnToFreedom

Goodnight Humans
Be kind always 🌊🌊

"Stories and art bring us together, inspiring us all to discover our unique talents and skills. Libraries are essential to that process—now more than ever."
A great message for #NationalLibraryWeek 2025 from @goraina.bsky.social & @scottmccloud.bsky.social, this year’s Honorary Chairs!

Promotional poster for AASL School Library Month celebrating 40 years, featuring an illustrated library scene with bookshelves, a reading chair, and a logo banner at the bottom.

Bingo! Buttons! Scavenger Hunts! The #SchoolLibraryMonth committee has pulled together a multitude of learner engagement resources to help you celebrate this #AASLslm. Find some fun and learning at: buff.ly/MhRK8cc