Book bans and challenges frequently make the news, but when the reporting ends, how do we put them in context? The Fight against Book Bans captures the views of dozens of librarians and library science professors regarding the recent flood of book challenges across the United States, gathered in a comprehensive analysis of their impact and significance. It also serves as a guide to responding to challenges.
Chapter authors provide first-hand accounts of facing book challenges and describe how they have prepared for challenges, overcome opposition to certain books, and shown the value of specific library materials. Library science faculty with a range of specialties provide relevant background information to bolster these on-the-ground views. Together, the chapters both articulate the importance of intellectual freedom and demonstrate how to convey that significance to others in the community with passion and wisdom. This volume provides a timely and thorough overview of the complex issues surrounding the ongoing spate of book challenges faced by public and school libraries.
1. The Precarious State of Libraries in the 2020s, Shannon M. Oltmann
Part One: The Rise in Book Challenges across the Nation
2. It’s Not Just the Quantity: Book Challenges in 2021 and Beyond, Glen J. Benedict
3. Preserving Equity for Young Adult Readers, Andrea Jamison
4. Missouri and Kansas School Librarians Face Unprecedented Community Concern, Rene Burress, Angie Wiegers, and Amanda Harrison
5. Reclaiming the Right to Learn: Combating New Censorship Tactics, Jamie Gregory
Part Two: How Challenges and Bans Affect Librarians
6. Riding Shotgun for Intellectual Freedom, Terri L. Lesley
7. A Library without Controversy, Kelly Mayfield
8. A Middle School Challenge: Championing Cabot’s Princess on the Brink, Julie N. Hornick
9. Beyond the Paperwork: The Hidden Impact of a Title Challenge, Joe Schweiss
Part Three: External Support for Librarians
10. Supporting Texas Librarians Facing Materials Challenges, Dorcas Hand
11. Building a Grassroots Movement to Support Intellectual #FReadom, Becky Calzada and Carolyn Foote
12. Answering the Call: ALA GNCRT Responds to Surging Challenges to Comics, Matthew Noe, Amie Wright, and Moni Barrette
Part Four: How to Face Challenges and Bans
13. Responding to Challenges: In the Moment and Beforehand, Kristin Pekoll and Shannon M. Oltmann
14. When Policy Does Not Stop the Ban: Reflections on Moving Forward, Jenna Kammer and Mernie Maestas
15. Whom Do We Serve? A Youth Librarianship Perspective, Cindy C. Welch
16. Parent Education for Anti-censorship: A School Librarian’s Guide,
Rhona Campbell
Part Five: Advice from Librarians
17. Challenges That Provide Insight into a Librarian’s Code of Ethics and a Systemic Threat to National Democracy, Dee Ann Venuto
18. Book Banning in the United States? Why, It’s Perfectly Normal!, Kerrie Lattari
19. Hindsight Is 2021: Help from the Book Battle Frontlines, Martha Hickson
20. Saving Library Books for Kids: A Year Combating Censorship, Tonya Ryals
About the Editor and Contributors
Index
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