Keeping Up and Checking In

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.

At the Freedom to Read Project, we believe in transparency and accountability in decision-making processes, especially when it comes to book bans and censorship in schools and libraries. One of the most powerful tools we have to uncover the truth is public records requests.

In recent years, the fight against book bans has intensified, with a record number of state laws passed that dictate what materials can be made available to students in libraries. These laws, often written vaguely to avoid accusations of viewpoint discrimination, leave significant discretion to local authorities. Unfortunately, many of these laws also carry severe penalties, which leads to over-compliance and self-censorship. At Freedom to Read Project, a parent-led nonprofit dedicated to fighting book bans and ensuring access to diverse literature, we believe strong policy guardrails are essential to prevent unjustified removals and protect intellectual freedom.

Why We Must Act Now to Protect the Freedom to Read

In the fight for intellectual freedom, there are two critical concepts we must understand and guard against: anticipatory obedience—or the tendency to comply with perceived authority before being required to—and the limitation effect, which describes how restrictions on access to information lead to collective harm. As a parent-led nonprofit dedicated to fighting book bans, we see these forces at work in the ongoing efforts to censor literature in schools and public libraries.

As parents, educators, and concerned citizens, our group has come together with one clear mission: to oppose the censorship of literature, particularly works that challenge and confound us. Drawing upon the insights from Gay Ivey and Peter Johnston’s article, Engaging Disturbing Books, we recognize that books confronting unsettling themes are not only vital for education but are also essential in helping our children develop the resilience, empathy, and critical thinking skills they need in a complex world.