Davis School District’s current library materials review policy has resulted in dozens of books being removed from school library and classroom shelves. Many of these books are award-winning and well-reviewed literary works. As a result, the policy denies students access to a variety of ideas and perspectives that are an important part of a comprehensive education. It has also resulted in expensive and time-consuming reviews of books challenged under the policy Sign today to let the Davis School District Board of Education know they should revise the policy to keep books on library and classroom shelves, protect students’ right to read, and safeguard parents’ right to parent their own children without unnecessary government involvement.

❌  Myth: Libraries are full of obscene books and pornography. ✅ Truth: No matter how many times this is repeated, it just isn’t true. Obscenity is legally defined by the Miller Test, which demands books lacking serious value in literary, artistic, political, or scientific aspects to be considered obscene. There are already laws in place to protect against obscene materials so if the library was truly full of pornography there would already be legal challenges throughout the state. The reason book banners aren’t arresting library staff and bringing the libraries to court is because they know nothing in the library would fail the Miller Test. In truth, many of the books falsely targeted as obscene or dangerous disproportionately feature LGBTQ or characters of color. It seems as if book banners care less about upholding obscenity standards and more about silencing dissenting voices. ❌  Myth: Libraries lack accountability. A law with punitive measures must be passed so libraries and their staff can be punished if they do something we don’t approve of. ✅ Truth: Libraries are already held accountable. Most are governed by a citizen-led board that is either elected or appointed by local government. School librarians are overseen by a school principal and district superintendents that are in turn governed by an elected board. By passing legislation that punishes libraries or staff for alleged misdeeds, the state legislature is trying to override local control and put themselves in charge of your library content. ❌  Myth: This is just about books in the children’s section. ✅ Truth: While this misinformation was repeated multiple times by the bill’s sponsor last year, the proposed bill targeted any book in the library. If a minor could find a book a parent found objectionable anywhere in a library building, including the adult section, the organization or its staff could be targeted for penalties. ❌  Myth: Libraries have no process for how they choose books, so one needs to be mandated by law. ✅ Truth: Every community or school library has an established procedure for vetting, shelving, and removing books. In fact, librarians are happy to explain this process, if asked. Library staff are dedicated professionals, many of whom have spent years obtaining degrees in library science, and libraries have long been integral to communities since the early 1900s. The legislature may introduce bills this session to wrestle these processes from the hands of professional librarians and impose a biased system that gives more power to people who want to ban books. They may even go a step further by forcing libraries to use citizen committees appointed by government officials to choose what books should be in the library. ❌  Myth: Books aren’t being banned. If a book is available at a bookstore or allowed in your home, it isn’t truly banned. ✅ Truth: Removing books from libraries due to legislation is the very definition of book banning. What’s more, book banning creates an access issue. Books are expensive. Libraries currently provide books at no charge. If the only way to read a book is to purchase it yourself, you’ve reduced access for anyone facing financial difficulties. Sadly, books are being removed from school and community libraries throughout the state due to political pressure, a trend that may worsen if bills similar to past sessions pass. ❌  Myth: This is a parental rights issue. ✅ Truth: This is true, but not in the way it’s being framed. It is a parent’s right to shield their child from media that conflicts with their personal views, but the proposed bills don’t stop there. A very small group of parents and politicians want to remove all materials from school and community libraries that they find objectionable, impinging on the rights of other parents who support their children's access to a wider array of books. (A report last year found that just 11 people are responsible for 60% of book ban requests across the US.) Even worse, some banners advocate for removing books from the adult section to help protect children, exemplified by Ada County Library's brief removal of a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison from the adult section last spring. ❌  Myth: Children accessing dangerous books from libraries is a common issue and legislation must be passed quickly to stop it. ✅ Truth: This is a non-issue, with an established process already in place to handle book challenges. The current concern over"dangerous books" mirrors the sudden, media-driven uproar over CRT or critical race theory (an issue both nationally and in our own Idaho legislature to indoctrinate). There was a panic that academics and teachers were trying to indoctrinate children into socialism by talking about equity, diversity, and racial issues in the classroom, and in response books by authors of color and books about slavery were targeted for removal. Fortunately, the public and politicians lost interest in the issue. Not because the problem was solved, but because most people realized the problem never existed in the first place.   We believe Idaho’s legislators should focus on pressing education concerns, from underfunded and crumbling school facilities to the national dip in academic scores after the pandemic, rather than squandering resources on a non-issue like "dangerous books" in libraries.

Please Donate. https://www.faithify.org/campaign/303/no-banned-books Parents and not the government determine what books their children read. Help to make the Festival a success and to spread the message that book banning is antithetical to our democracy.

Plano ISD parents and residents deserve transparency on district policies. Students deserve access to diverse and challenging books. Six of the books removed have appeared on recent AP Lit exams; we are doing a disservice to our students and limiting their ability to succeed by banning these books. Sign and share this petition today and let Plano ISD know that lack of transparency is not acceptable.

Engaging in open community dialogue is vital for rebuilding trust and respecting diverse perspectives. Your swift attention to this matter will safeguard the integrity of our education system and maintain community trust. This issue is vital because it touches on the heart of our community's commitment to free expression, diversity, and fair educational practices. We are defending the right for our students to access a wide range of perspectives and ideas and safeguarding the intellectual freedom that is fundamental to a thriving and inclusive community. Imagine a school environment where essential discussions about societal issues are limited or silenced. These banned books represent diverse voices and narratives that contribute to a well-rounded education. Sign and share this petition today, and join us in calling for an immediate and transparent review of book removals at Menomonee Falls High.

The district feels it is in the majority when it comes to removing classic and diverse literature from our school libraries. It is up to the community to show that we trust our teachers to foster a love of reading in our students and challenge them to develop critical thinking skills that will prepare them for the world around them. Sign our petition to call on our district leadership to halt these book bans, follow their own policies on the review of books, and leave those decisions to qualified librarians and media specialists in each school.

Early this week, disregarding hundreds of their constituents’ pleas, the Sarasota County Commissioners voted to terminate the library's association with the American Library Association and the Florida Library Association, which funds many programs important to our community. Without such support the library will lose opportunities for public funding and it will make it easier for the government to regulate books that families can choose for themselves. Loss of access to these educational opportunities will negatively impact our children's ability to lead successful lives. We must fight back in support of our libraries and our constitutional right to read whatever book we choose for ourselves and our children. The Commissioners have proven yet again, that they do not vote in accord with their constituents needs and must be ousted out of office in 2024. The Social Justice Alliance of the Florida Suncoast is planning a Right to Read, All Books for All People Festival on February 24, 2024, in support of our public schools and libraries and to raise awareness of how local government is undermining our freedoms. We'll keep you posted with further details on our festival planning.

As you are well aware by now, there are people who seek to remove any book from the CISD library shelves that does not align with their personal ideology. Extremist groups that do not have children in CISD are using school board meetings to push their own agenda. It is important that students not only see themselves represented in the pages of a book, but also gain empathy for others by reading about experiences outside of their own. These book challenges will only increase in the coming days as we near the presidential election. Please join me to advocate for ALL students, because ALL MEANS ALL!

We must come together to make it clear that our community will NOT accept the most restrictive voices making decisions for all of us.

Reading opens doors for students to find someone like themselves by allowing them to read views from around the world. In Catawba County, the library is a prime spot to access books as many students don't have the means to buy books. Student voices need to be heard as WE are the ones affected.

Books are being removed from Catawba county school libraries, infringing on parent rights. These bans have consumed tax payer money, teacher's time, and school board time that could have been spent on educating our children. Tell the school board you want these books kept on the shelves. Sign and share this petition.

Outside groups are coming into our community and pressuring school boards to issue a blanket removal of hundreds of books, including classics and award winning books that many of us grew up reading. And, they want the books removed by government action without consulting parents, librarians, or educators. Tell your school board that you are against thoughtless, extreme, government-imposed censorship and for real parental choice and liberty. Sign and share this petition today!