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Library, author, bookseller groups condemn legal action attempting to censor books in Virginia
The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) joined with Virginia librarians and booksellers, publishers and civil liberties organizations to issue a statement on June 1 condemning a Virginia political candidate’s legal action that seeks to halt distribution of...
Freedom to Read Foundation 2022 Election Results
CHICAGO-The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF), a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the 91´«Ã½ dedicated to protecting and defending each person’s First Amendment right to read, concluded its annual...
More than 25 organizations join forces with the 91´«Ã½ to Unite Against Book Bans
Campaign urges decisionmakers to oppose book bans, protect the freedom to read The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and a coalition of more than 25 groups are banding together to empower individuals and communities to fight censorship and protect the...
New Banned Books Week materials and more debut in spring/summer 91´«Ã½ Graphics catalog
CHICAGO – The Spring/Summer 2022 91´«Ã½ Graphics catalog delivers a range of exciting posters and bookmarks to inspire and encourage readers of all ages. The cover displays the new Banned Books Week poster which offers the important and timely message that...
IFRT awards 2022 Hodges Award to two Tennessee Organizations
The Intellectual Freedom Round Table's Coalition Building Committee will award the 2022 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award to the Tennessee Library Association (TLA) and the Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL). For...
GNCRT seeks information about censorship of comics in schools and libraries
In February 2022 the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) launched a new committee focused on preparing for and addressing bans, challenges, and other forms of censorship of comics in libraries. This...
CHICAGO — The 91´«Ã½ Working Group on Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice will host three online sessions for members and library workers that will provide opportunities to learn more about potential alternatives to neutrality. The alternatives to...
Exton, Pennsylvania — What should library staff do when self-proclaimed “citizen journalists” enter the library claiming a right to question employees and film in any space accessible to the public? The May 11 webinar “ First Amendment Audits: What Your...
Book challenges top 700 – the most since 2000 CHICAGO —The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, highlighting the challenges U.S. libraries faced in the second year...
Terri Lesley Receives IFRT Immroth Memorial Award
The 91´«Ã½'s Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Immroth Award Committee is pleased to announce Terri Lesley as the recipient of the 2022 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, which honors notable contributions to intellectual...
Large majorities of voters oppose book bans and have confidence in libraries
First survey of its kind confirms national bipartisan support for the freedom to read CHICAGO—Amid the recent proliferation of efforts to ban books in every state across the country, a new national poll commissioned by the 91´«Ã½...
Celebrate the freedom to read during National Library Week, April 3-9
CHICAGO – The freedom to read is essential to holding together the fabric of our democracy. Our nation’s libraries are on the front lines, protecting that freedom in the face of threats from groups that would remove or limit access to reading materials...
91´«Ã½ releases new privacy field guides
CHICAGO — Privacy is a core value of librarianship, but what does it mean to put privacy in action in the library? Wading through suggested best practices, technology requirements, and the laws addressing privacy rights can be daunting and can raise more...
Jamie M. Gregory Receives IFRT Oboler Memorial Award
The 91´«Ã½'s Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award is presented each year for an excellent work in the area of intellectual freedom. The 2022 award cycle marked a change for the Oboler Award. Starting this year, articles and books will be...
Make your voice heard within 91´«Ã½ at the Virtual Membership Meeting, Thursday, March 17
CHICAGO – 91´«Ã½ members will have the opportunity to engage in real time with 91´«Ã½ leadership during the association’s Virtual Membership Meeting, at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, March 17. Virtual meetings are part of 91´«Ã½’s ongoing focus to...