Since mid-2021, the landscape of book censorship has remained remarkably consistent in its fundamental objectives and outcomes, even as the methods employed have evolved. The core tenets of this significant era of censorship—the intent to restrict access to information and ideas—have persisted, with the focus shifting in how these aims are pursued. This reflection revisits key initiatives and insights from previous years, highlighting the continuous nature of advocacy and the need for sustained engagement in safeguarding intellectual freedom. The recurring patterns observed underscore that while the faces and specific tactics may change, the underlying struggle for the freedom to read remains a constant, demanding vigilance and informed action from individuals and institutions alike. The groundwork for many current challenges has been laid over time, making the unfolding events, while still deeply concerning, not entirely unexpected for those closely observing the trends.

Empowering the Next Generation of Intellectual Freedom Advocates

In June 2025, the Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned program launched a critical resource aimed at equipping young people with the tools and knowledge to become effective advocates for intellectual freedom. The "Freedom to Read Teen Advocacy Toolkit" was developed to address the significant barriers faced by teenagers seeking to engage in activism. For adults, initiating advocacy can be daunting; for youth, the challenges are amplified by a lack of foundational knowledge, readily accessible resources, and established community networks. These factors can hinder their participation in issues that directly affect them and their communities. Recognizing the limitations often faced by librarians and educators in terms of time and resources, the toolkit provides a comprehensive framework designed for library staff, educators, and community organizations. Its purpose is to bolster teen advocacy and activism by offering structured programs and practical tools.

The development of this toolkit by the author of this column signifies a direct contribution to the ongoing efforts to empower young voices in the fight against censorship. By providing tangible resources, the initiative aims to demystify the process of advocacy, making it more accessible and impactful for a generation that is increasingly on the front lines of defending fundamental rights. The toolkit is a testament to the understanding that fostering a culture of intellectual freedom begins with nurturing informed and engaged young citizens.

On the Front Lines: South Carolina School Librarians Navigate Censorship Battles

June 2025 also saw a spotlight on the courageous work of school librarians in South Carolina, a state where these professionals have become central figures in the resistance against book bans. The South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL) has been at the forefront of these efforts. An interview with SCASL’s leadership, President Jamie Gregory and President-Elect Tenley Middleton, underscored the dire realities faced by school librarians across the nation. Their conversation offered a poignant reminder of the essential role librarians play as the primary defenders of students’ First Amendment rights within school environments.

The interview highlighted the immense pressure and the often-unseen battles waged by librarians who are dedicated to serving the diverse needs of all students. In states where library workers face significant backlash for simply fulfilling their professional duties, their resilience and commitment are particularly noteworthy. The interviews provided a firsthand account of the challenging conditions, emphasizing that school librarians are often the first and, at times, the only line of defense for students’ fundamental rights to access information. This testimony serves as a critical call to recognize and support these dedicated professionals who are working under immense duress.

Empowering Citizens: A Guide to School Board Elections and Candidate Information

In May 2025, a crucial two-part series was introduced to equip citizens with the necessary tools and encouragement to create voter guides specifically for public school and public library elections. For years, the erosion of democratic institutions like public schools and libraries has been exacerbated by the appointment or election of individuals with agendas counter to these institutions’ missions. The increasing awareness of the vital role these boards play has coincided with the difficulty many voters face in obtaining clear, unbiased information about candidates. This initiative aims to bridge that information gap, empowering citizens to support candidates who champion literacy, public institutions, and the well-being of young people.

The first installment focused on school board elections, featuring insights from Frank Strong, a leader with the Texas Freedom to Read Project and an educator. Strong’s candidate guides in Texas have become indispensable resources for voters seeking to make informed decisions. His contributions emphasize the critical need for accessible information regarding candidates’ stances on educational policies, censorship, and the broader role of schools in a democratic society. This series provides a practical framework for community members to actively participate in the electoral process and ensure that their local elected officials reflect a commitment to intellectual freedom and robust public education.

Illuminating Library Board Elections: A Data-Driven Approach

Continuing the theme of informed civic engagement, the second part of the voter guide series in May 2025 delved into the process of creating voter guides for public library board elections. This initiative was directly inspired by the author’s experience in developing a comprehensive guide for contested public library board elections in Illinois for the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Elections. While the initial intention was to cover all library board elections, the sheer scale of the effort, even with dedicated volunteers, necessitated a refined focus on contested races—those where the number of candidates exceeded the available positions.

The guiding principle of this project was to prioritize accuracy and factual information over exhaustive coverage, acknowledging the inherent challenges in accessing data, particularly for rural communities. This pragmatic approach recognized that providing reliable information for a subset of elections was more valuable than attempting to cover every race with potentially incomplete data. The emphasis on transparency and factual reporting aims to empower voters with the knowledge needed to select library board members who will uphold the principles of open access and community service, ensuring that public libraries remain vital democratic spaces.

Understanding the Pillars of American Knowledge: The Library of Congress

In May 2025, an article addressed a fundamental question for many concerned citizens: "What is the Library of Congress and what does the Librarian of Congress do?" This inquiry arose from a growing awareness of threats to institutional integrity and a desire to understand the foundational elements of national knowledge repositories. The Library of Congress, as the de facto national library of the United States, serves as the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and its primary research arm. Its vast collections, encompassing millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts, make it an unparalleled resource for scholars, policymakers, and the public.

The role of the Librarian of Congress, historically an appointed position, is to oversee the institution’s operations, manage its extensive collections, and guide its role in supporting education, research, and national cultural heritage. An important update noted that as of the preceding month, Congress had reclaimed the power to appoint the Librarian of Congress, a shift that underscores the evolving dynamics of oversight and governance for this crucial institution. Understanding the structure and function of the Library of Congress is vital for appreciating its significance in preserving and disseminating knowledge, and for recognizing the importance of informed public engagement with such national treasures.

The State of U.S. Civics Education: A Foundation for Democracy

May 2025 also saw a critical examination of "The State of U.S. Civics Education." The article posed a fundamental question: what is the average American’s understanding of their civic rights and the mechanisms of democracy and government in the United States? The answer, it suggests, is complex and varies widely, but in an era often described as a constitutional crisis, grasping the realities of civics education becomes essential for understanding how a nation built on democratic principles can face challenges to its governance.

The current state of civics education in the U.S. has been a subject of considerable concern. Studies and reports have consistently indicated a decline in comprehensive civics instruction in K-12 schools, leading to a populace with varying degrees of knowledge about governmental structures, democratic processes, and fundamental rights. This deficiency can have profound implications, potentially leading to disengagement from civic life, susceptibility to misinformation, and a weakened capacity for collective action to address societal challenges. The article implicitly argues that a robust understanding of civics is not merely an academic pursuit but a necessary component for the sustained health and resilience of American democracy, particularly in the face of efforts that seek to undermine informed public discourse and participation.

Echoes of the Past: Early American Unions and the Fight for Public Libraries

A look back to June 2024 illuminated a significant historical connection: "The First American Union Understood The Necessity of Public Libraries and Education." This piece highlighted the foundational principles of the National Trades’ Union, established in 1834. At a time when wages were failing to keep pace with inflation, workers recognized the power of collective action and cooperative endeavors to protect themselves from exploitation. The burgeoning labor movement understood that solidarity was built not only through economic and workplace reforms but also through access to knowledge and education.

The National Trades’ Union advocated for a series of critical reforms, including a national minimum wage, standardized working hours, and, crucially, public education and free lending libraries. This early recognition of the indispensable role of libraries in empowering the working class and fostering an informed citizenry demonstrates a long-standing understanding of their democratic function. The article draws a parallel to contemporary struggles, suggesting that the historical imperative for free and accessible libraries remains as relevant today as it was in the 19th century, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges to intellectual freedom and access to information.

A Student’s Stand: High Schooler’s Year of Fighting Book Bans

June 2024 also featured the compelling story of Annabelle Jenkins, a high school student whose courageous actions at her graduation ceremony in the West Ada School District (ID) brought national attention to the ongoing fight against book bans. Instead of a traditional handshake, Annabelle presented her district superintendent with a copy of The Handmaid’s Tale Graphic Novel, a title among many that had been challenged and removed from district libraries during the 2023-2024 academic year. The viral video of this moment, amassing millions of views on TikTok, underscored the growing student engagement in this critical issue.

Annabelle’s activism stemmed from a personal experience in the fall of 2023, when she witnessed a heated altercation between a teacher and her school librarian. The argument, which she described as unusually hostile, was over The Handmaid’s Tale (Graphic Novel). This incident, observed from her classroom, spurred her to inquire further and ultimately led her to become an advocate. Her story exemplifies how personal encounters with censorship can ignite a passion for defending intellectual freedom, demonstrating that the impact of book bans extends beyond the shelves and directly affects the student experience and the school environment.

Navigating the Bureaucracy of Book Challenges

In May 2024, an article provided practical insight into "What Do Book Challenge Forms Look Like?" This piece acknowledged the varied and often complex procedures that govern how books are challenged and potentially removed from school and public library collections. The article highlighted that the specific policies and the ease with which they can be navigated or undermined significantly influence a library’s propensity to remove materials. Institutions with streamlined or easily manipulated challenge processes are more likely to see books banned than those with robust, well-defined procedures that uphold intellectual freedom principles.

Understanding the mechanics of book challenge forms is crucial for both advocates and library professionals. For those seeking to defend access to books, familiarity with these forms and the associated policies is essential for effective counter-advocacy. For libraries, transparent and equitable challenge procedures are foundational to upholding the First Amendment rights of patrons and ensuring that collection development reflects the diverse needs and interests of the community, rather than succumbing to undue pressure.

Clarifying the Language of Censorship

June 2023 marked the publication of "A Censorship Language Primer," an essential resource aimed at clarifying the often-nuanced and contested terminology used in discussions surrounding book bans and censorship. The article emphasized that while many believe they are using these terms in a shared manner, the subtleties of language can lead to misinterpretations and a loss of the true gravity of the situation. Achieving clarity around the precise meanings of words used to describe censorship is not a matter of semantic pedantry but a crucial step in accurately communicating the scope and impact of these efforts.

A shared understanding of terms like "censorship," "ban," "challenge," and "objection" is vital for effective advocacy and informed public discourse. When discussions lack linguistic precision, the true extent of restrictive actions can be obscured, and the collective response can be weakened. This primer serves as a foundational tool for anyone engaged in defending intellectual freedom, ensuring that the language used accurately reflects the realities of censorship and fosters a more unified and impactful response.

Seventy Years of the Library Bill of Rights: A Cornerstone of Intellectual Freedom

June 2023 also commemorated a significant anniversary: "70 Years of the Library Bill of Rights." This landmark document, adopted by the American Library Association (ALA) Council in 1953, stands as a cornerstone of intellectual freedom in libraries. Unlike top-down mandates, the Library Bill of Rights was and continues to be shaped by the ALA membership through its elected Council. Its enduring strength lies in its commitment to inclusivity, with additions made over the decades to reflect evolving societal understanding and challenges, but never deletions.

The document affirms that libraries should provide materials and services for all people and that libraries should not lend their patronage to any group or action that would limit the free spirit of inquiry. It is a vital tool for ensuring that libraries remain open, accessible, and equitable spaces for everyone. The Library Bill of Rights guides libraries in establishing robust policies and procedures for addressing patron concerns and challenges, ensuring that dissenting views are heard and addressed through proper channels, rather than allowing them to dictate collection policies or restrict access to information for the broader community.

Addressing the "Sex Parts" in Banned Books: A Call for Open Dialogue

In May 2022, a provocative article titled "You Need To Talk About The Sex Parts in Banned Books" addressed a critical aspect of censorship debates. The piece argued for the necessity of openly discussing the sexual and gender-related content within books that are frequently targeted for removal. It asserted that those in positions of influence must be knowledgeable not only about widely recognized classics but also about more challenging works that serve as both mirrors and windows for readers, particularly young people.

The article contended that banning discussions of LGBTQ+ individuals or topics does not erase their existence but rather creates further obstacles for them. It critiqued American culture’s general prudishness and fear of engaging with complex and messy aspects of human experience, including accurate terminology for anatomy and human reproduction. The piece posited that this aversion to discussing sensitive topics like sexuality and gender identity often coexists with a greater societal acceptance of violence. The underlying message is that confronting these "messy" aspects of life through literature is essential for fostering understanding, empathy, and a more accurate reflection of the world for all readers, especially youth navigating their identities and understanding their place within society.