Keeping Up and Checking In

Across the United States, a fundamental shift is underway in how school library collections are curated, and not for the better. Traditionally, decisions about which books belong in a school library were made locally, guided by the expertise of professional educators and librarians in collaboration with the communities they serve. But today, state governments are asserting unprecedented control, bypassing local input to impose top-down mandates about what students are allowed, or forbidden, to read.

In the past few years, censorship in the United States has moved beyond book bans and challenges. Today, we are witnessing a much broader campaign of intimidation. Government bodies at every level are adopting scare tactics to pressure schools, libraries, and educators into preemptive self-censorship. The result is a chilling effect that stifles free expression, narrows the scope of ideas accessible to the public, and punishes those who resist.

In recent years, the rise in book bans across the United States has sparked growing concern among educators, librarians, authors, and readers. While the movement to censor books often claims to protect children, the actual impact is much broader and more damaging. Banned books—many of which center voices from marginalized communities—are being pulled from school and public library shelves in staggering numbers, making it increasingly difficult for readers to access diverse, thought-provoking literature.

Across the country, battles over the right to read are being waged at school boards, in libraries, and in legislatures. Nowhere are these battles more intense than in states dominated by single-party control—places where political power can amend laws quickly, leaving little room for resistance. Yet even in these red states, courageous grassroots groups are showing that people power can still move the needle.

What began as a movement to shield children from “inappropriate” content has evolved into a sweeping campaign that now restricts access to literature for adults, including those in esteemed institutions like the U.S. Naval Academy. This shift raises profound concerns about intellectual freedom and the role of libraries in a democratic society.​

Across the country, communities are rising up against censorship, standing firm in their belief that students and library users deserve access to a deep variety of books and ideas. As more school boards, libraries, and lawmakers push policies that restrict intellectual freedom, everyday people—parents, educators, students, and neighbors—are stepping up to organize. One of the most powerful grassroots tools in your advocacy toolkit? A well-crafted petition.

In a time when book bans are rising at an alarming rate across the United States, it's more important than ever to use your voice. Writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed is one of the most effective ways to speak out, raise awareness, and influence public discourse. Whether you're a parent, educator, librarian, student, or concerned citizen, you can take action—and it starts with your words.

In recent years, challenges to books in schools and libraries have become a major focal point for debates surrounding education, freedom of expression, and censorship. These attacks, often rooted in ideological disagreements, seek to limit access to literature, especially when it comes to books with LGBTQ+ themes, depictions of sexual conduct, or content on topics such as mental health or social justice. The growing trend of book challenges—sometimes leading to outright bans—threatens the very foundation of intellectual freedom in our society.

In a time when school libraries are under attack across the country, the Freedom to Read Project is proud to issue a bold and necessary proclamation: April 2025 is School Library Month in all 50 states — whether they recognize it or not.

The wave of book bans sweeping across the country is unprecedented. Fueled by political agendas and fear-based messaging, censorship efforts have reached a fever pitch, threatening the freedom to read in schools and libraries everywhere. As a parent-led nonprofit, the Freedom to Read Project knows firsthand that standing up to these efforts requires more than passion—it requires people. A lot of them.