EveryLibrary in the News 2025 - January to May
From January through May 2025, EveryLibrary was repeatedly cited by national, state, and local media as libraries faced an escalating wave of book bans, legislative attacks, executive overreach, and coordinated efforts to defund public institutions. This coverage reflects EveryLibrary’s role as the only national political action committee for libraries, showing up in courtrooms, statehouses, federal policy debates, elections, and grassroots campaigns to defend the freedom to read, protect library workers, and mobilize voters when libraries face direct political threat.
January 2025 to May 2025 "In the News"
Librarians gain protections in some states as book bans soar
Stateline | January 7, 2025
https://stateline.org/2025/01/07/librarians-gain-protections-in-some-states-as-book-bans-soar
56 Small Tasks to Be Proactive Against Book Censorship in 2025 and Beyond
Book Riot | January 3, 2025
https://bookriot.com/56-small-tasks-to-be-proactive-against-book-censorship-2025/
Book Nook - Take Your Child to the Library Day
Motherhood Moment | January 13
https://motherhood-moment.blogspot.com/2025/01/book-nook-take-your-child-to-library-day.html
How To Celebrate Take Your Child To The Library Day?
Hudson Valley Country | January 14, 2025
https://hudsonvalleycountry.com/celebrate-take-your-child-to-the-library-day-in-the-hudson-valley/
Librarians featured in Sundance doc on book bans receive standing ovation from SLC audience
Salt Lake City Tribune | January 28, 2025
https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2025/01/28/sundance-documentary-showing/
U.S. Dept. of Education Dismisses Book Ban Complaints, Rescinds Agreement in Civil Rights Violations in Forsyth County Book Removals
School Library Journal | January 24, 2025
https://www.slj.com/story/Department-Education-Office-Civil-Rights-Dismisses-Book-Ban-Complaints-ends-agreement-forsyth-county
PEN America & EveryLibrary Call Dept of Education Action on Book Bans “Alarming” and “Dismissive”
InfoDocket | January 24, 2025
https://www.infodocket.com/2025/01/24/statement-pen-america-calls-dept-of-education-action-on-book-bans-alarming-and-dismissive/#
Will States and Localities Restrict the Book Banners?
The Progressive | January 29, 2025
https://progressive.org/latest/will-states-and-localities-restrict-the-book-banners-daigon-20250129/
Utah students barred from bringing banned books to school
The Washington Post | January 28, 2025
https://wapo.st/4hcPBMV
Take Your Child to the Library Day
The Neosho Daily News | February 3, 2025
https://neoshodaily.com/take-your-child-to-the-library-day/
How to Critically Read a Press Release From the Federal Government
Book Riot | February 6, 2025
https://bookriot.com/guide-to-critically-read-a-press-release-from-the-federal-government/
PEN America, EveryLibrary, Publishers: Executive Order Could Have "Grave Impact on Literature for Years"
School Library Journal | February 6, 2025
https://www.slj.com/story/PEN-America-EveryLibrary-Publishers-Executive-Order-Could-Have-Grave-Impact-Literature-Years
EveryLibrary to host Library Lovers Week virtual festival
Myhighplains.com | February 6, 2025
https://www.myhighplains.com/news/local-news/everylibrary-to-host-library-lovers-week-virtual-festival/
Publishing giants sue Idaho over state law enabling book bans
K-12 Dive | February 6, 2025
https://www.k12dive.com/news/publishing-giants-sue-idaho-over-state-law-enabling-book-bans/739369/
Love your library? How to take part in this week's national program
Detroit Free Press | February 10, 2025 https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/02/10/national-library-lover-week-virtual-panel/78323986007/
How Authors Against Book Bans Helped Defeat Attempted Library Censorship in Florida.
Literary Hub | February 12, 2025
https://lithub.com/authors-against-book-bans-helped-defeat-attempted-library-censorship-in-florida/
A student-led organization comes to the rescue of books and libraries
Caló News| February 12, 2025
https://www.calonews.com/featured-topics/culture/a-student-led-organization-comes-to-the-rescue-of-books-and-libraries/article_4de5c3d8-e96e-11ef-bd21-07f8110407eb.html
Love EveryLibrary Like They've Loved You
KATT-FM | February 12, 2025
https://www.katt.com/2025/02/12/love-everylibrary-like-theyve-loved-you/
Librarians, readers join forces to protect freedom to read
Arkansas Times | February 14, 2025
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/02/14/librarians-readers-join-forces-to-protect-freedom-to-read
JFK Presidential Library in Boston Abruptly Closes 'Until Further Notice'
Newsweek | February 18, 2025
https://www.newsweek.com/john-kennedy-jfk-library-boston-massachusetts-abruptly-closes-2032953
Newport Beach Little Library Locked Up in Protest of Funding Cuts and Book Banning
Newport Beach News | February 20, 2025
https://www.newportbeachindy.com/newport-beach-little-library-locked-up-in-protest-of-funding-cuts-and-book-banning/
Julianne Moore’s freckles? How Republican bans on ‘woke’ books have reached new level
The Guardian | February 24, 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/trump-book-bans-school-libraries
EveryLibrary Spreads the Word About the Data Rescue Project
Information Today | February 25, 2025
https://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/Digest/EveryLibrary-Spreads-the-Word-About-the-Data-Rescue-Project-168160.asp
Proposed Alabama bills could see librarians prosecuted for obscene material, library boards dismantled by local government
WVUA 23 | February 27, 2025
https://www.wvua23.com/news/proposed-alabama-bills-could-see-librarians-prosecuted-for-obscene-material-library-boards-dismantled-by-local/article_2df68bc0-eed7-11ef-8ddc-ef5c7109d6bb.html
Libraries across the nation are threatened: EveryLibrary.org is here to help!
KSQD | March 10, 2025
https://ksqd.org/libraries-across-the-nation-are-threatened-everylibrary-org-is-here-to-help/
Library Wars: Goffstown Fights Lead to State House Bills
InDepthNH.org | March 12, 2025
https://indepthnh.org/2025/03/12/library-wars-goffstown-fights-lead-to-state-house-bills/
Latest Trump executive order guts seven agencies, including Voice of America
UPI | March 15, 2025
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/03/15/donald-trump-executive-order-voice-of-america-cuts/2011742059525/
Trump’s next agency cuts include US-backed global media, library and museum grants
Politico | March 15, 2025
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/15/donald-trump-agency-cuts-00232119
Executive Order Targets the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Publishers Weekly | March 17, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/97343-executive-order-targets-the-institute-of-museum-and-library-services.html
Trump urged to reconsider order gutting agency that gives grants to libraries, museums
Louisiana Illuminator | March 17, 2025
https://lailluminator.com/2025/03/17/repub/trump-libraries/
Latest Executive Orders Seeks to Eliminate the IMLS
School Library Journal | March 17, 2025
https://www.slj.com/story/Industry%20News/Latest-Executive-Orders-Seeks-eliminate-IMLS
Library Funding Targeted in New Trump Executive Order: What It Means & What To Do Now
Book Riot | March 17, 2025
https://bookriot.com/imls-executive-order/
Save Our Museums and Libraries – An Action Diary
Daily Kos | March 18, 2025
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/18/2310989/-Save-Our-Museums-and-Libraries-An-Action-Diary
Trump is attacking libraries and museums in every state. Here are 3 things you can do to help communities fight back
Fast Company | March 18, 2025
https://www.fastcompany.com/91300992/trump-executive-order-attacks-museum-library-services-institute-3-things-you-can-do-to-help
Trump order threatens funding for Alabama libraries
Alabama Political Reporter | March 18. 2025
https://www.alreporter.com/2025/03/18/trump-order-threatens-funding-for-alabama-libraries/
Trump Admin. Cuts Library Funding. What It Means for Students
Education Week | March 19, 2025
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-admin-cuts-library-funding-what-it-means-for-students/2025/03
EveryLibrary Launches Platform to Save IMLS|
Publishers Weekly | March 19, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=5276
Tracking the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Libraries
American Libraries | March 19, 2025
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/03/19/tracking-the-trump-administrations-attacks-on-libraries/
Trump cuts could mean Kentucky libraries, universities and museums lose millions
Lexington Herald Leader | March 19, 2025
https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article302274579.html
Trump funding cuts could threaten public libraries, Native American cultural institutions
The Oklahoman | March 20, 2025
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/20/oklahoma-public-libraries-tribal-institutions-could-be-hit-doge-cuts-donald-trump/82547638007/
An open letter to the Monroe County community from Library Director Grier Carson | OPINION
The Herald-Times | March 24, 2025
https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2025/03/24/grier-carson-addresses-trump-order-to-eliminate-library-services-opinion/82594383007
Indiana Congressman’s Staff Asks Library to Call Police on Constituents
Book Riot | March 25, 2025
https://bookriot.com/indiana-representatives-staff-asks-library-to-call-police-on-constituents/
Mississippi library users feel federal funding freeze day after IMLS staff suspended
USA TODAY | April 1, 2025
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/04/01/mississippi-library-users-feel-federal-funding-freeze-day-after-imls-staff-suspended/82760935007/
Entire Staff at Federal Agency that Funds Libraries and Museums Put on Leave
KQED | April 1, 2025
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13973894/imls-federal-agency-libraries-museums-leave-doge
Libraries are under siege: How Trump's cuts put community hubs in peril
USA TODAY | April 3, 2025
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/03/libraries-trump-federal-funding-cuts/82598580007/
Virginia Blackmer: Executive order could cause cuts to NH library services
The Laconia Daily Sun | April 04, 2025
https://www.laconiadailysun.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/virginia-blackmer-executive-order-could-cause-cuts-to-nh-library-services/article_9b4e2125-4646-4364-a823-f33a9027d6bb.html
Being a librarian was already hard. Then came the Trump administration
The Guardian | April 7, 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/07/libraries-trump-administration
Annual Celebration of Libraries and Library Workers Arrives Amid Funding Threats to Learning and Enrichment
GLAAD | April 7, 2025
https://glaad.org/annual-celebration-of-libraries-and-library-workers-arrives-amid-funding-threats-to-learning-and-enrichment/
A History and Future of School Librarianship
Book Riot | April 8, 2025
https://bookriot.com/a-history-and-future-of-school-librarianship/
Parents Testify on School Libraries ‘Anti-Obscenity’ Bill
InDepthNH.org | April 10, 2025
https://indepthnh.org/2025/04/10/parents-testify-on-school-libraries-anti-obscenity-bill/
New Poll reveals public backlash against book bans and criminalizing librarians
Manchester Ink Link | April 11, 2025
https://manchester.inklink.news/new-poll-reveals-public-backlash-against-book-bans-and-criminalizing-librarians/
The Worst National Library Week Ever
InfoToday | April 12, 2025
https://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/jun25/Dempsey--The-Worst-National-Library-Week-Ever.shtml
The Trump Administration Is Not Just Erasing History, They're Rewriting the Future and Attacking Democracy | Opinion
Newsweek | April 18, 2025
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-administration-not-just-erasing-history-theyre-rewriting-future-attacking-democracy-2061128
Freedom to read: Librarians discuss book bans at Friends of the Logan Library event
The Herald Journal | April 21, 2025
https://www.hjnews.com/news/community/freedom-to-read-librarians-discuss-book-bans-at-friends-of-the-logan-library-event/article_cbbb69b6-637f-4627-a841-63783077131f.html
Literary Advocates Condemn Florida Book Banning Bill
Publishers Weekly | April 24, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/97610-literary-advocates-condemn-florida-book-banning-bill.html
New Hampshire lawmakers debate a book ban that could punish teachers, librarians
WBUR | April 25, 2025
https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/04/25/new-hampshire-school-book-ban-bill
EveryLibrary Launches “Summer Reads 2025” Festival to Celebrate Libraries, Push Back Against Project 2025 Threats
The Bloomingtonian | April 30, 2025
https://bloomingtonian.com/2025/04/30/everylibrary-launches-summer-reads-2025-festival-to-celebrate-libraries-push-back-against-project-2025-threats/
Trump Administration and Libraries: Federal Budget, IMLS Restraining Order, and Changes to ERIC
Information Today | May 06, 2025
https://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/Digest/Trump-Administration-and-Libraries-Federal-Budget-IMLS-Restraining-Order-and-Changes-to-ERIC-169334.asp
Advocacy Update
American Booksellers Association | May 7, 2025
https://www.bookweb.org/news/advocacy-update-may-7-2025-1631972
Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
School Library Journal | May 9, 2025
https://www.slj.com/story/Outrage-Calls-Action-After-President-Trump-Fires-Librarian-Congress-Carla-Hayden
How Do You Stop Book Bans? Ban Them
Bloomberg News | May 21, 2025
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-05-21/minnesota-law-bans-book-bans-and-gives-librarians-control-of-selection-process?embedded-checkout=true
Librarian of Congress Should be Reinstated
Gulf Breeze News | May 22, 2025
https://news.gulfbreezenews.com/articles/librarian-of-congress-should-be-reinstated/
Joint statement on the Trump administration's firing of Dr. Carla Hayden: forty-eight publishing, library, free expression, and civil society groups call on Congress to intervene.
Library Technologies News | May 25, 2025
https://librarytechnology.org/pr/31367
This Is Government Censorship in its Plainest Form, States EveryLibrary
School Library Journal | May 28, 2025
https://www.slj.com/story/EveryLibrary-This-government-censorship-in-its-plainest-form
How To Build a Voters Guide for Public Library Board Elections: Book Censorship News
Book Riot | May 30, 2025
https://bookriot.com/how-to-build-a-voters-guide-for-public-library-board-elections/
Together, these stories document a pivotal stretch of the 2025 political landscape—one in which libraries became a frontline issue in broader fights over democracy, civil rights, and public investment. EveryLibrary’s presence in this coverage highlights the importance of sustained political action, including organizing communities, influencing policy outcomes, supporting ballot and legislative initiatives, and holding elected officials accountable. As the year continues, EveryLibrary remains focused on turning public support for libraries into durable political power at the ballot box, in legislatures, and wherever decisions about access and funding are made.