Resources

If you are a student who has lost access to certain books in your school, you can apply for a FREE digital library card (no matter where in the country you live), and it will give you access to all digital books and audiobooks in their system. They offer many other free services for students through this program. They also share links to other libraries that have joined their Books Unbanned Program: Boston Public Library, LA County Library, San Diego Public Library, and Seattle Public Library.

Wherever you see First Amendment rights being put at risk, you will find PEN America fighting for those rights. PEN America’s programs defend writers, artists, and journalists and protect free expression worldwide. They have the up-to-date information about books bans. They also have programs specifically for the next generation of students and activists known as Next Gen Pen. 

NCAC’s resources help activists, educators, students, artists, and all citizens promote free expression and challenge censorship. Learn about your First Amendment rights, what censorship can look like, techniques for preventing it, how to handle incidents of silencing and specific ways to defend free expression in your communities and nationally. They also have an anti-book-ban toolkit for students and parents!

Banned Books Week 2024 is Sept 22-28. This is an annual event in the fall, though the dates will vary slightly. Contact your local library to see if they are holding a BBW event, or know of anyone in the community that is. If not, ORGANIZE ONE YOURSELF. If you miss this year’s event, there’s always next year. Efforts to undermine public education are not going to stop, no matter which way the Nov elections go. It’s never too early to start planning for next year!

So many book bans have targeted the voices in already-marginalized communities, BIPOC and LGBTQ+. Consider supporting this nonprofit. Founded by marginalized authors, WNDB aims to create a world where every reader can find themselves in the pages of a book. They also offer book challenge guidance for librarians, teachers, and parents & allies.

The NEA offers resources and actions items in terms of addressing your local school board and to help protect our students freedom to learn.

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) provides free access to digital versions of books that have been removed from library shelves through their Banned Book Club. 

The American Library Association’s Unite Against Book Bans initiative provides a wealth of information about how to fight book bans in your local community. They even provide a FREE downloadable toolkit.

Make sure you REPORT all book challenges and bans in your community to this office. OIF provides confidential support to anyone addressing a challenge to materials, programming, policy, or services. Their challenge report form allows you to report censorship and request assistance with the challenge. Alternatively, you can send email to oif@ala.org or call 312-280-4221 to request assistance.

Consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the ALA! Libraries and librarians are on the front lines fighting book bans and censorship. Librarians around the country are being routinely harassed, doxxed online, and threatened with criminal punishment in some states. They need our help more than ever! Also, visit the main website (www.ala.org) and look around. It’s an incredible organization with too many resources to list here.

Every State has its own local chapter with initiatives specific to your area. You can find yours with an easy web search. The national office offers these talking points when fighting book bans. Check out this blog about How to Start a Banned Book Club in your school from a high school student in Texas who started one in protest of the book bans in her school. 

EveryLibrary helps public, school, and college libraries win funding at the ballot box, ensuring stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come. They also support grassroots groups across the country in defending and supporting their local library against book banning, illicit political interference, and threats of closure.

Are you in the legal profession? FTLA is looking for lawyers, law firms, legal departments, legal researchers, litigation support resources, and all with legal training to join our effort. We are seeking legal advocates to counsel and advise FTLA and our nation’s educators, public librarians, parents, and students victimized by unlawful attacks on our liberties. Our nation’s teachers, school librarians, and public librarians are under attack.