Freedom to Read Project

A Nationwide Book Ban Bill Has Been Introduced in the House of Representatives Hours after the State of the Union address, House republicans introduced legislation banning LGBTQ+ books from public schools nationwide.

Heads up: a new federal bill (HR 7661) could limit books schools can buy with federal funds using a vague “sexually oriented” label. It risks broad censorship of LGBTQ+ and identity-focused titles.

bookriot.com/hr7661-book-...

#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #CensorshipWatch

After the Records Arrive: Turning Public Information into Power Public records replace rumor with evidence; organize, analyze, and share them strategically to build transparency, accountability, and policy reform.

Curious how public records can be used to strengthen transparency, hold decision-makers accountable, and push for real policy change? Learn what to do once you receive records and how to make an impact.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/after_the_re...

cover of dear evan hansen

Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel explores loneliness, anxiety, grief, and the need to belong.

It gives teens language for hard feelings and opens space for empathy and conversation.

Banning stories about mental health doesn’t protect kids, it isolates them.

#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #LetKidsRead

When emotions run high around books, it’s tempting to pull a title “just in case.” But constitutional rights don’t bend to pressure.

We need clear policies, transparent processes, defined criteria, and appeals, not panic or politics.

Due process protects students and democracy.

fewer than 10% of students are restricted in school libraries by their parents

When parents can set reading limits for their own child, fewer than 10% choose to restrict access.

Most families trust guidance and conversation, not bans.

You can guide your child without deciding for mine.

Protect choice. Trust librarians. Keep libraries open.

#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans

The Founders, Libraries, and the Danger of Calling Knowledge “Government Speech” Founders championed libraries and free exchange; calling libraries “government speech” invites political censorship, undermines democracy, and silences diverse community voices.

We just celebrated Presidents’ Day, a good time to remember the Founders believed democracy depends on access to ideas, not government control of them.

Our newest piece explores why calling libraries “government speech” threatens the freedom to read.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_founders...

Carolina Ixta on Fighting Apathy With Action and Hope in YA Literature and Beyond YA author Carolina Ixta highlights books for teens that are calls to action, activism, and hope.

YA author Carolina Ixta talks about the power of books that explore justice, activism, and hope–and she shares six titles that will move and inspire teen readers: bookriot.com/carolina-ixt...

Book Bans Still Happen Loudly in States with Anti-Book Ban Laws If book banning is being crafted to circumvent Freedom to Read bills, it's beyond time to call this a public health crisis.

Book Bans Still Happen Loudly in States with Anti-Book Ban Laws

If book banning is being crafted to circumvent Freedom to Read bills, it's beyond time to call this a public health crisis.

buttondown.com/wellsourced/...

Little v. Llano County Legalized Library Censorship. What Exactly Does This Mean?: Book Censorship News, February 13, 2026 What are the censorship implications of Little v. Llano County? Lead plaintiff Leila Green Little talks about the case.

Little v. Llano County Legalized Library Censorship. What Exactly Does This Mean?

Leila Green Little, lead plaintiff in Little v. Llano County, talks about what's happened since her case came to a close: bookriot.com/little-v-lla...

Image of Mitchell Kaplan, smiling and wearing a checkered shirt above a quote from him expressing concerns about HB 1119 turning schools into battlegrounds and discouraging open idea discussions. The quote is attributed to an article in Miami New Times. The Pen America logo is in the corner.

Writing in Miami New Times, Mitch Kaplan of Books & Books says that "Florida deserves better" than new laws seeking to expand book bans and deny students literature’s full context and value: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/opinion/florida-book-ban-bills-threaten-schools-and-literary-freedom-40524004/

Maya Angelou’s estate joins Utah lawsuit over the state’s school book bans The renowned author’s estate signed on alongside Kurt Vonnegut’s estate and three other authors.

Maya Angelou’s estate joins Utah lawsuit over the state’s school book bans

www.kpcw.org/state-region...

22 Utah Statewide Banned Books: A Court of Thorns and Roses A Court of Frost and Starlight A Court of Mist and Fury A Court of Silver Flames What Girls are Made Of A Court of Wings and Ruin milk and honey Forever Tilt Fallout Oryx and Crake Blankets Empire of Storms Living Dead Girl Damsel Like A Love Sotry Tricks Water for Elephants Thirteen Reasons Why Nineteen Minutes The Perks of Being A Wallflower Wicked

The current standing of Utah's statewide banned books.
These will make for some great material for our Read-In tomorrow. See you all at 3:30 p.m. at the Utah State Capitol :)

Early Signs Censorship Is Taking Root in Your Community and What You Can Do About It Spot early censorship signs, resist pressure, support librarians, demand transparency, organize community, refuse intimidation, and defend access before books disappear.

Censorship doesn’t start with empty shelves. It starts quietly: a “review,” a complaint, a social media push.

Our latest from Freedom to Read Project explains the early warning signs and what to do before books disappear.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/early_signs_...

#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans

Libraries are for lovers week: Do you love books? Follow us to protect the freedom to read!

Love books? Believe everyone deserves to be reflected in stories?

It’s Libraries Are for Lovers Week! We’re celebrating cozy corners, brilliant librarians & free access to stories for all.

Follow us for tools to fight book bans, support libraries & spread bookish joy. Share if you’re already here.

It's a great one!

cover of the art of racing in the rain. it has the face of a cute golden retriever

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein isn’t just about a dog, it’s about love, grief, resilience, and loyalty when life gets hard.

It builds compassion and empathy, helps families talk about tough realities, and reminds readers how to keep going.

That’s not inappropriate. That’s human.

Cy-Fair ISD board reverses course, restores banned textbook chapters The Cy-Fair ISD board reinstated 13 chapters from five textbooks that were censored by the board's previous conservative majority. It marked the first rollback of policies by the new board .

On Monday, Cyfair ISD’s recently elected 4-3 pro-public ed majority took decisive action to walk back the removal of 13 TEA/SBOE approved textbook chapters, censored by their prior board majority.

www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...

PEN America Leads Writer Delegation to Texas A&M as More Than 30 Groups Push Back on Campus Censorship PEN America leads delegation to Texas A&M to demand regents reverse censorship policies that undermine academic freedom

PEN America today is leading a delegation of nationally renowned writers to Texas A&M University in defense of academic freedom and free expression on campus. https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-leads-writer-delegation-to-texas-am-as-more-than-30-groups-push-back-on-campus-censorship/

Books open doors. Conversations build trust. Tough stories create space for the best talks.

Talking with your kids about books isn’t scary, it’s powerful.
Books open doors. Conversations build trust.

Ask what they think. Listen. Grow together.
That’s not dangerous, that’s parenting.

#FreedomToRead #RaiseReaders #BooksNotBans

Book ban versus parent control, lawmakers debate purpose of bill that could send librarians to jail | by Ty Tagami | Feb 6, 2026 | Capitol Beat News Service

Hey Georgia! Get on the horn to your state reps about this!

As a movement to ban books reaches the front doors of libraries across the country, librarians find themselves on the frontlines. Watch @independentlens.bsky.social @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
on the PBS YouTube Channel and PBS app starting February 9.

www.pbs.org/independentl...

Four Freedom to Read Bills to Follow Right Now: Book Censorship News, February 6, 2026 Updates on four freedom to read bills at the state level right now, as well as the voices of students advocating for their right to read.

New proposals are popping up across the country that could protect (or threaten) what we can access in libraries and classrooms.

Check out this clear breakdown of freedom-to-read bill proposals and what they mean for readers everywhere:
bookriot.com/freedom-to-r...

As a movement to ban books reaches the front doors of libraries across the country, librarians find themselves on the frontlines. Watch @independentlens.bsky.social @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on the PBS YouTube Channel and PBS app starting February 9.

www.pbs.org/independentl...

Turn Passion Into Action: Advocacy Event Ideas to Protect the Freedom to Read Get involved with simple community events—postcards, calls, webinars, and read-ins—to mobilize neighbors and protect the freedom to read.

Ready to turn your love of books into action? YOU can make a difference for the freedom to read!

This guide is packed with simple, creative advocacy ideas to protect the freedom to read in your community.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turn_passion...

#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #LibraryAdvocacy

HRC Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading In 2015, a Kindergarten teacher in a small town in Wisconsin planned a reading and discussion of the book “I am Jazz” as part of their efforts to show support to a student. Prior to the reading, an…

Every year, communities and schools come together to show their support for transgender and non-binary youth every February for the Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading. This year it's on February 27. If you're interested in hosting a reading fill out the form here:

Tennessee bill would allow residents to request book removals from public libraries NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Fighting over books could expand from school libraries to public libraries. If a new bill passes in Tennessee’s legislature, anyone who lives in a county could ask t…

A new bill in Tennessee would let any resident request the removal of books from public libraries, setting a dangerous precedent that could spread nationwide. This isn’t about protecting kids, it’s about controlling what everyone can read.

www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...

cover of extremely loud and incredibly close

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer helps readers face grief, trauma, and healing with honesty and empathy. That’s not dangerous, that’s human.

Let kids read. Let them feel.

#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

Tips for emailing your legislators. (1) keep it short and clear. A few concise paragraphs are more likely to be read start to finish. (2) say you are a constituent. Include your city or zip so they know you’re one of their voters. (3) be specific about your ask. Name the Bill and clearly say what you want them to do. (4) share a personal story. Real experiences stay longer than statistics. (5) be respectful, and follow up. Polite persistence shows this issue truly matters to you.

Apologies! Forgot to do alt text for the image. Here it is with the alt text.

Got 5 minutes? Email your legislators. A few thoughtful messages can shape votes that protect our libraries.

Be brief, say you’re a constituent, make a clear ask, share your story, follow up.

Your voice matters.

#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #Advocate

We included this one in our latest newsletter. We're happy to see the result but wish it came sooner for him.