Courts Push Back on DODEA School Library Book Bans with Preliminary Injunction

EveryLibrary commends U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles for her ruling that reinstates hundreds of books and curricular materials in five Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. Her opinion affirms what school librarians, educators, and families have long understood.

The First Amendment protects every student’s right to read, inquire, and learn, regardless of where they live or who their parents work for. This October 20 ruling is a preliminary injunction, meaning it is in place as litigation continues, and only applies to the five schools attended by the children involved in the lawsuit. 

The Department was ordered to "immediately restore the library books and curricular materials" at five schools removed since January 19, 2025, and is barred from any "further removals."

The ruling granted a preliminary injunction requested by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of several military families, meaning it will remain in effect while litigation continues. This decision reflects the court’s finding that the plaintiffs are “likely to succeed on the merits” of their case. As the ACLU pointed out, the scope of censorship enacted through these executive orders was “astonishing.” This case highlights the risks of permitting political agendas to dictate educational content and library access.  

Since February, EveryLibrary has been campaigning to support the restoration of the books, clubs, and activities students have lost under the directives of the Trump Administration. We continue to urge Congress to pass Representative Jamie Raskin’s “Right to Read Act," which would guarantee the freedom to read in every public school and Department of Defense school. EveryLibrary proudly endorses this bill and invites library advocates, educators, and parents to sign, share, and support it as a lasting safeguard for the First Amendment rights of all students.

We encourage DoDEA to comply with this injunction swiftly and fully with the court’s order and to recommit to providing a high-quality, standards-based education rooted in intellectual freedom and respect for diversity. As one parent told USA Today, “It’s a slippery slope if you start saying that the federal government can dictate what is allowed and what is not allowed to be taught.” We share these concerns about executive overreach. For our students to succeed, school libraries must be grounded in the First Amendment, professional education standards, and the values of a democratic society.