News and Updates

Stay up-to-date with EveryLibrary's work.

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News and Updates

Stay up-to-date with EveryLibrary's work.

EveryLibrary and PEN America Statement on Huntington Beach Censorship Committees

March 19, 2024

EveryLibrary and PEN America Statement Opposing New Proposed Ordinance in Huntington Beach, CA “Community-Parent Guardian Review Board for Review of Procurement of Children’s Library Material” (No. 4318 3/19/24)

Statement from EveryLibrary on the Firing of Autauga-Prattville Alabama Public Library Staff

March 15, 2024

EveryLibrary is alarmed by the library board's firing of the Autauga-Prattville Alabama Public Library director and staff yesterday. It is unethical and unjust. We are calling on the City Council, Mayor, and County Commissioners to return these librarians to their jobs and rescind the discriminatory anti-LBGTQ+ policies imposed by the board. We must take action to ensure that all citizens' rights are protected and that the library is free from workplace harassment and politicized actions. 

Don't Politicize Louisiana Library Boards

March 14, 2024

In a move that threatens the foundation of independent library boards of control in Louisiana, the state legislature is considering House Bill 640 this session. HB640 would end our public libraries' autonomy from politics and the control of local politicians.

What is Civic Learning Week, and Why is it Important?

March 05, 2024

Is your library interested in being part of a new cohort of libraries committed to supporting civic education?  Read more for details!

EveryLibrary signs on to Veto Letter in Utah

February 28, 2024

The Let Utah Read Coalition, which includes EveryLibrary, The Utah Library Association, Pen America, and the ACLU, have sent a letter to Utah's Governor Spencer Cox asking him to veto HB29, which passed the legislature on February 21st.  

Fighting Back Against Laws and Regulations that Harm State Library Associations

February 24, 2024

State library association leaders are grappling with unusual bills, rules, and executive orders that would restrict a state's spending of any funds on the association’s goods, products, services, and events. In some states, the prohibitions concern state spending. In others, the prohibitions would extend prohibitions to municipalities, libraries, and schools. In both situations, our colleagues in state library associations are seeing unreasonable, politically motivated attacks on how they can conduct business.

Reverse Anti-LGBTQ+ Book Buying Policy in Prattville

February 20, 2024

EveryLibrary joins Read Freely Alabama, PEN America, and the National Coalition of Censorship to call on the Autauga-Prattville Library Board (AL) to reverse its new policy prohibiting all children’s and young adult books related to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and relevant issues. The groups called the new policy discriminatory and urged the Prattville Library to uphold the freedom to read for all its patrons.

Endorsing HB299, the Delaware Libraries for All Act

February 13, 2024

Censorship is on the rise across the county, and Delaware Libraries want to act before book bans take hold there. With so many censorship efforts targeting LGBTQ and BIPOC titles, book bans are a form of discrimination as well as an attack on the First Amendment.

Texas School Districts Should Refrain from Rating Library Books Under HB900

February 06, 2024

HB900, the Texas book rating bill, is being challenged on Constitutional grounds in federal court. Despite this, numerous school districts in Texas are acting as if HB900 is operative and are citing HB900 as the reason to rate and review school library collections. EveryLibrary has joined the Children's Defense Fund-Texas and several other free speech and education advocacy organizations in issuing a letter to School Boards and Administrators across Texas about HB900, the Readers Act, clarifying the law and cautioning them to stop removing books. 

Endorsing HR 6830, the Books Save Lives Act of 2024

January 31, 2024

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) has introduced H.R.6830, the  Books Save Lives Act (2024), to counteract the rise in book bans in public libraries and school libraries nationwide. EveryLibrary is encouraging all library stakeholders to learn about and support this important new legislation.
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