View all News and Press Releases
Arkansas Book-Banning Law Declared Unconstitutional
The US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas today declared Arkansas Act 372 unconstitutional in an opinon indicating that the law is overbroad and void for vagueness, and permanently enjoined its enforcement.
IFRT Seeks Nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award
The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking book nominations for the 2025 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award. The award winner will be announced in the spring of 2025. A certificate of recognition and $500 cash award will be presented at the 2025 American...
Freedom to Read Community Day of Action rallies support for America’s libraries on October 19
The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and the 91´«Ã½-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign are joining some of the nation’s largest and smallest library systems to in a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19, 2024.
91´«Ã½ reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges
Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, 91´«Ã½’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.
91´«Ã½ Hosts Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress
91´«Ã½ convened a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together national organizations, publishing allies, educational institutions, foundations, authors and other champions of intellectual freedom.
91´«Ã½ to Host Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress
Event to Forge Collaborative Playbook to Address Censorship Challenges and Protect Free Expression WASHINGTON - The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is convening a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together...
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay To Lead Banned Books Week As Honorary Chair
White House Honoree Julia Garnett to Serve as Youth Honorary Chair CHICAGO — Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair for Banned Books Week 2024, which takes place September 22 – 28. DuVernay will be joined by youth honorary...
91´«Ã½ Council strongly reaffirms freedom for all to read freely
The association’s elected Council delivered a strong message opposing censors and those who are trying to remove hundreds of books at a time targeting LGBTQ+ and people of color from library shelves.
Banned Books from the Big Chair returns for 2024 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference & Exhibition
Sage, the 91´«Ã½, the Banned Books Week Coalition, and Unite Against Book Bans are partnering to bring Banned Books from the Big Chair back to the 2024 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference and Exhibition! To counter the unparalleled rise in...
A workbook for navigating intellectual freedom challenges
CHICAGO — Whether a book challenge is upon you, on the horizon, in your rearview mirror, or not yet in sight, now is the time to start envisioning what a challenge-ready team looks like in your organization. “ Prepared Libraries, Empowered Teams: A...
The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and Unite Against Book Bans will host a second annual Rally for the Right to Read: Voters Unite Against Book Bans at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Friday, June 28, 2024.
91´«Ã½â€™s Office for Intellectual Freedom to benefit from new book of essays
A new book of essays, “Why Books Still Matter,” inspired by the late First Amendment champion Joyce Meskis, has been released this month, with proceeds going to the 91´«Ã½’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Philadelphia — Literacy Nation Inc., in partnership with the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), our Supporter and partners, is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Freedom to Read-a-Thon. This exciting event will take place...
Webinar: Law and the Right to Read: What Your Trustees Need to Know
United for Libraries will host Law and the Right to Read: What Your Trustees Need to Know on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm Central. Registration is free to the following United statewide partners: MA, MD, MI, MS, ND, NE, OR, SC, SD, and VA...
In February 2022, the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table created the Addressing Comics Challenges Committee with the charge of focusing on resources for libraries in preparing for and addressing bans, challenges, and other forms of censorship to comics...
