EveryLibrary in the News 2024 - January to June

The first half of 2024 has been a period of intense activity for EveryLibrary. Numerous news outlets have covered our initiatives, anti-censorship campaigns, and our involvement in broader issues facing libraries today. From legislative trackers and advocacy efforts to fighting book bans and promoting library funding, our work has been featured across a wide range of media.

Throughout these months, we have been fulfilling our mission to support libraries and the right to read, leveraging media coverage to amplify our message and mobilize support. As we look ahead to the rest of 2024, we remain committed to defending libraries against censorship, advocating for equitable access to information, and ensuring that libraries continue to serve as anchos for our communities and schools.

Select Stories - January to June 2024

EveryLibrary Releases 2024 State-by-State “Legislation of Concern” Tracker; Bestselling Canadian Books of 2023; & More Headlines
Infodocket | January 8, 2024
https://www.infodocket.com/2024/01/08/everylibrary-releases-2024-state-by-state-legislation-of-concern-tracker-bestselling-canadian-books-of-2023-more-headlines

EveryLibrary Releases 2024 State-by-State “Legislation of Concern” Tracker; Bestselling Canadian Books of 2023; & More Headlines
Library Journal | January 8, 2024
https://www.infodocket.com/2024/01/08/everylibrary-releases-2024-state-by-state-legislation-of-concern-tracker-bestselling-canadian-books-of-2023-more-headlines/ 

Parents Trust School Librarians to Select Books, But There’s a Catch
Ed Week | Jan 16th, 2024
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/parents-trust-school-librarians-to-select-books-but-theres-a-catch/2024/01

Christian Nationalists Are Demanding The Removal Of Books From Public And School Libraries Across The Country
Bucks County Beacon | January 24, 2024
https://buckscountybeacon.com/2024/01/christian-nationalists-are-demanding-the-removal-of-books-from-public-and-school-libraries-across-the-country/ 

West Virginia GOP Majority Pushes Contentious Bills Arming Teachers, Restricting Bathrooms, Books
US NEWS & World Report  | January 24, 2024
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/west-virginia/articles/2024-01-24/west-virginia-gop-majority-pushes-contentious-bills-arming-teachers-restricting-bathrooms-books 

The Illinois-based think tank EveryLibrary Institute and editorial site Book Riot conducted a survey to learn what parents across the country think of school libraries.
WBEZ CHICAGO | Morning News January 30th 2024
https://open.spotify.com/episode/533HmpVl10gv52wdwK8jIR?si=KbIIr50ORjuXUaiFB9U9lg 

Book Bans Up 33% Over Last Two School Years - Opinion
outsfl  | January 30, 2024 
https://outsfl.com/mombian/book-bans-up-33-over-last-two-school-years-opinion 

Book champions talk about rights, costs
Yahoo! News | February 1, 2024
https://www.yahoo.com/news/book-champions-talk-rights-costs-141300706.html 

EveryLibrary launches Libraries2024 initiative to inform voters about the big issues affecting libraries
Library Technology Guides | February 2, 2024
https://librarytechnology.org/pr/29712 

Hungry for Connection: Addressing Loneliness Through the Library
Library Journal | February 05, 2024
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/news/hungry-for-connection-addressing-loneliness-through-the-library 

EveryLibrary Begins the Libraries2024 Campaign
Infotoday | February 6, 2024
https://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/Digest/EveryLibrary-Begins-the-Libraries2024-Campaign-162461.asp 

Stop Picking on Public Libraries
The Nation | February 14, 2024
https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/public-libraries-book-bans/ 

Libraries Face Political Pressure
Wrongologist.com |  February 14, 2024
https://wrongologist.com/2024/02/libraries-face-political-pressure/ 

Need To Know What Your Kids Are Reading? The GOP Thinks You Do
WORT FM |  February 16, 2024
https://www.wortfm.org/need-to-know-what-your-kids-are-reading-the-gop-thinks-you-do/ 

The Unheralded Labor of Fighting Book Bans
The American Prospect |  February 20, 2024
https://prospect.org/education/2024-02-20-unheralded-labor-fighting-book-bans/ 

ACLU, Utah Library Association, others send letter urging Cox to veto sensitive materials bill
KSL.com |  February 27, 2024
https://www.ksl.com/article/50932057/aclu-utah-library-association-others-send-letter-urging-cox-to-veto-sensitive-materials-bill

Utah advocates urge Gov. Cox to veto bill that would automatically ban certain books from schools statewide
Salt Lake Tribune  |  February 28, 2024
https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2024/02/28/utah-advocates-urge-gov-cox-veto/ 

Illinois’ ban on book bans may infringe literary freedom, advocates say
The Daily Northwestern |  February 28, 2024
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2024/02/28/city/illinois-ban-on-book-bans-may-infringe-literary-freedom-advocates-say/ 

Heidi Stevens: School draws clothing onto children's book illustrations after latest book ban attempt. We're not powerless to stop this madness
ArcaMax |  February 29, 2024
https://www.arcamax.com/healthandspirit/lifestyles/s-3138292?print

THREE NEW BILLS THAT THREATEN THE FREEDOM TO READ
Pen America |  March 1, 2024
https://pen.org/three-new-bills-that-threaten-the-freedom-to-read/ 

Key Takeaways Of Moms For Liberty On ‘60 Minutes
Bucks County Beacon  |  March 4, 2024
https://buckscountybeacon.com/2024/03/maurice-cunningham-key-takeaways-of-moms-for-liberty-on-60-minutes/ 

In Florida, This Is What it Takes to Stop Book Bans
Word in Black  |  March 6, 2024
https://wordinblack.com/2024/03/in-florida-this-is-what-it-takes-to-stop-book-bans/ 

2024 Election Roundtable: Libraries Defending Democracy, Fighting for Funding, and Educating the Electorate
Library Journal  |  March 6, 2024
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/2024-election-roundtable-libraries-defending-democracy-fighting-for-funding--and-educating-the-electorate 

Here’s how Utah public schools could change after a whirlwind of new education bills
Salt Lake City Tribune  |  March 7, 2024
https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2024/03/07/heres-how-utah-public-schools/ 

The Week in Libraries: March 8, 2024
Publisher’s Weekly  |  March 8, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/94542-the-week-in-libraries-march-8-2024.html 

Librarians Lock Autauga-Prattville Public Library in Protest After Director Fired by Board
Book Riot  |  March 14, 2024
https://bookriot.com/librarians-lock-autauga-prattville-public-library-in-protest-after-director-fired-by-board/ 

Attempts to Ban Books Accelerated Last Year
New York Times |   March 14, 2024
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/14/books/book-bans.html 

Letter to the Editor: Library Employees’ firing is unjust; GoFundMe established
River Region’s Elmore Autauga News  |  March 15, 2024
https://elmoreautauganews.com/2024/03/15/letter-to-the-editor-library-employees-firing-is-unjust-gofundme-established/ 

Legislative Attacks on State Library Associations are Dangerous—and Illegal
Publisher’s Weekly |  March 15th, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/94617-pla-2024-legislative-attacks-on-state-library-associations-are-dangerous-and-illegal.html 

Autauga-Prattville Public Library employees launch work stoppage over director’s firing
Alabama Reflector  |  March 15, 2024
https://alabamareflector.com/2024/03/15/autauga-prattville-public-library-employees-launch-work-stoppage-over-directors-firing/

Prattville library board appoints interim librarian; protests over firing, book challenges continue
AL.com  |  March 17, 2024
https://www.al.com/news/2024/03/prattville-library-board-appoints-interim-librarian-protests-over-firing-book-challenges-continue.html 

Fostering Inclusivity and Empathy: the crucial role of book clubs
Teach Magazine  |  March, 2024
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TYgKDEKU_2u_e4HGpN5oqJcCdoOySeoF/view 

Metropolis Public Library accused of censorship
NPR Illinois  |   April 01, 2024
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/metropolis-public-library-accused-of-censorship 

Alabama Republicans try to 'criminalize librarians simply for doing their jobs
Raw Story  |  April 4, 2024
https://www.rawstory.com/alabama-republicans-try-to-criminalize-librarians-simply-for-doing-their-jobs/ 

Fight for the First and the National Library Alliance Release One Year Impact Report
Infodocket  |  April 7, 2024
https://www.infodocket.com/2024/04/07/fight-for-the-first-and-the-national-library-alliance-release-one-year-impact-report/ 

How To Turn The Page on Attacks on Libraries
Democracy Forward  |  April 8, 2024
https://democracyforward.org/updates/how-to-turn-the-page-on-attacks-on-libraries/ 

Librarians fear new penalties, even prison, as activists challenge books
U.S. News  |  April 9, 2024
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2024-04-09/librarians-fear-new-penalties-even-prison-as-activists-challenge-books

Red states threaten librarians with prison — as blue states work to protect them
Washington Post  |  April 16, 2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/16/library-legislation-restrictions-protections/?_pml=1 

‘Bridgerton’ Built Julia Quinn’s Career. But Now She’s Striving — and Fighting — for More
Shondaland  | April 18, 2024
https://www.shondaland.com/shondaland-series/shondaland-bridgerton-behind-the-scenes/a60501857/julia-quinns-bridgerton-season-three-book-banning/

Librarians fear new penalties, even prison, as activists challenge books Pictures
Akron Legal News | April 22, 2024
https://www.akronlegalnews.com/editorial/34907  

Minnesota and other Democratic-led states lead pushback on censorship. They’re banning the book ban
AP News  |  April 23, 2024
https://apnews.com/article/book-bans-censorship-lgbtq-gender-race-libraries-d52fee70d8e3d4f158068de37ce8194b 

Editorial: Freedom to read
Times Argus  | April 23, 2024
https://www.timesargus.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-freedom-to-read/article_438deb59-1092-5290-884c-baddf0e521be.html 

Librarians fear criminal charges with book ban rise
Miami Times  |  April 24, 2024
https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/world_national/librarians-fear-criminal-charges-with-book-ban-rise/article_15e9ff52-fbf9-11ee-a661-2786836b56cd.html 

Library asks NASD to continue with funding
LEHIGH VALLEY PRESS  |  April 24. 2024
https://www.lvpnews.com/20240424/library-asks-nasd-to-continue-with-funding/ 

Lawmakers Aim to Bar Restrictions on Books at Public Libraries
Voice of America  | April 25, 2024
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lawmakers-aim-to-bar-restrictions-on-books-at-public-libraries/7583267.html 

Alfred J. Lakritz, Katrin Ciaffa, and Peter Bromberg on A Novel Idea
NPR “A Novel Idea" Interview  |  May 19, 2024
https://norcalpublicmedia.org/images/00_Podcasts/aNovelIdea_AlfredLakritz_Libraries_HanneloreKrollfeiffer.mp3?sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer  

Minnesota Joins Other States To Lead A Pushback On Book Censorship
Boreal  |  Apr 23, 2024
https://www.boreal.org/2024/04/23/488721/minnesota-joins-other-states-to-lead-a-pushback-on-book-censorship

Library Book Ban Attempts Are At An All-time High. These Librarians Are Fighting Back
PBS News hour   |  Apr 15th, 2024
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/attempts-to-ban-books-are-at-an-all-time-high-these-librarians-are-fighting-back

Why Volunteering At The Local Level Is So Important
The Philadelphia Tribune  |  May 7th, 2024
https://www.phillytrib.com/the_learning_key/why-volunteering-at-the-local-level-is-so-important/article_6c0eb04b-104c-53d1-917b-91e3a1f120a0.html

The Week in Libraries: 5/3/24
Publisher Weekly  |  May 3rd, 2024 
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/94964-the-week-in-libraries-may-3-2024.html

As Book Bans Soar, Public Libraries Are the New Battleground
Capital & Main  |  April 3rd, 2024
https://capitalandmain.com/as-book-bans-soar-public-libraries-are-the-new-battleground

Should Librarians Be Jailed for Handing Out a Banned Book?
Diane Ravitch's blog  |  May 5th, 2024
https://dianeravitch.net/2024/05/05/should-librarians-be-jailed-for-handing-over-a-banned-book/

Alabama: Autauga-Prattville Public Library Sued Over Policies Restricting Book Access
Infodocket   |  May 9th, 2024
https://www.infodocket.com/2024/05/09/alabama-autauga-prattville-public-library-sued-over-policies-restricting-book-access/

“What’s Marc Jacobs Reading?”
Trueself.com  |  May 10th, 2024
https://www.trueself.com/what-is-marc-jacobs-reading-2668202927.html

The Week in Libraries: 5/10/24
Publisher’s Weekly  |  May10th, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/95019-the-week-in-libraries-may-10-2024.html

How To Prepare for Pride Month in Libraries 2024: Book Censorship News
Book Riot   |  May 10th, 2024
https://bookriot.com/pride-month-in-libraries-2024/

Bill to criminalize Alabama librarians for ‘obscene’ content fails in the Senate
AL.com  |  May11th, 2024
https://www.al.com/news/2024/05/bill-to-criminalize-alabama-librarians-for-obscene-content-fails-in-the-senate.html

​​Boycotting book fairs no more
E-school news | May 27, 2024
https://www.eschoolnews.com/innovative-teaching/2024/05/27/boycotting-book-fairs-no-more/ 

The New Prohibition: The assault on Louisiana libraries, and how citizens and activists are fighting back
The Gambit / NOLA.com | May 30, 2024
https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/the_latest/the-new-prohibition-the-assault-on-libraries-and-how-citizens-and-activists-are-fighting-back/article_034af682-1df8-11ef-8d96-4fbaf8ba92f2.html 

Library pac supports plaintiffs suit against St. Tammany council
The Natchitoches Times | May 29, 2024 
https://www.natchitochestimes.com/opinions/library-pac-supports-plaintiffs-suit-against-st-tammany-council 

On the Books: Library Legislation 2024 | Censorship
Library Journal | June 3, 2024
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/news/on-the-books-library-legislation-2024-censorship 

Library Advocacy with EveryLibrary
Draft 2 Digital Podcast | May 16, 2024
https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/library-advocacy-with-everylibrary-ep175/ 

Your 101 Guide To Fighting A Local Book Ban
Scary Mommy | June 13, 2024
https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/your-101-guide-to-fighting-a-local-book-ban 

They Came For The School Library. Now They’re At The Public Library in Escambia County, Florida
Book Riot | June 17, 2024
https://bookriot.com/escambia-county-book-bans/ 

Librarians Vs. Book Bans: In Defense Of Literature
Teach Magazine | June 2024
https://teachmag.com/archives/26177 

Winning the Culture War Against Queer Kids’ Books
LitHub | June 17, 2024
https://lithub.com/winning-the-culture-war-against-queer-kids-books/ 

PRIDE MONTH: PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE CROSSHAIRS
The Southern Poverty Law Center | June 2024
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2024/06/18/pride-month-public-libraries-crosshairs 

Library Board chair works against library from the inside
KNUR Radio | June 25, 2024
https://www.kunr.org/local-stories/2024-06-25/library-board-chair-works-against-library 

The Quiet Crisis Facing U.S. Public Libraries
Publisher’s Weekly | June 28, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/95383-the-quiet-crisis-facing-u-s-public-libraries.html 

Librarians Need Our Support
The Suburban Woman Problem Podcast | June 28, 2024
https://www.swppod.news/p/librarians-need-our-support 

You can read stories from July to December 2023 at https://www.everylibrary.org/in_the_news_2023julydec