Open Letter on Florida Health Curriculum Limits and School Libraries
EveryLibrary, as a signatory to the open letter to Florida’s public school superintendents and school board attorneys, joins our colleagues at the Florida Freedom to Read Project, PEN America Florida, and the National Coalition Against Censorship in voicing deep concerns over the state-imposed restrictions on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education curricula.
While these changes directly impact the classroom, we are particularly alarmed by their potential ripple effects on school libraries and the vital access they provide to diverse and inclusive resources.
Read the joint letter from the Florida Freedom to Read Project (FFTRP), PEN America, EveryLibrary, and National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
The overreach of vague and punitive state laws like HB 1069 has already demonstrated a chilling effect on educational materials in Florida. This environment of fear and over-compliance risks undermining the ability of school librarians to fulfill their professional responsibilities to curate collections that meet the unique needs of their communities. Libraries must remain spaces of opportunity and discovery for students of all abilities, backgrounds, and interests without the threat of political interference or subjective censorship.
The professional expertise of school librarians, coupled with parental guidance, ensures that students can access the resources they need to learn and thrive. EveryLibrary is committed to defending the freedom to read in every setting, and we call on Florida’s school district leaders to resist the further erosion of library access under the guise of curriculum restrictions.
Our shared goal is to ensure that all students in Florida—indeed, across the nation—can explore, learn, and grow in environments that respect their rights and honor the expertise of educators and library professionals alike. We will continue to stand with our partners and with Florida’s students and families in advocating for a robust, inclusive educational system that upholds these principles.
Additional stories about this issue:
"Groups urge school officials to keep anatomy, other health-info-related books in school libraries" - Florida Phoenix - Dec 13, 2024
"PEN America Joins Advocacy Groups in Warning Against Limiting Florida Health Curriculum"
https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-joins-advocacy-groups-in-warning-against-limiting-florida-health-curriculum/
"Open Letter: Florida’s Health Curriculum Limits Should Not Impact Our Libraries"
https://westorlandonews.com/open-letter-floridas-health-curriculum-limits-should-not-impact-our-libraries/