Success Stories & Challenge Tactics

Defending Book (and Other Resource) Challenges — Success Stories

It seems like every time stories of book challenges in the library appear in the news, it's always a loss for intellectual freedom. To counter this, here are some success stories where people took a stance against censorship.

How to beat a book ban: students, parents and librarians fight backAs rightwing campaigns for censorship sweep the US, opponents are finding ways to keep books on the shelves

Gov. Tim Walz installs “Little Free Library”Minnesota leaders are taking a stand against book bans by installing a “Little Free Library” at the State Captiol.

'They Know This is Wrong': Online Course Teaches Students How to Defend Banned BooksThe Brooklyn Public Library is teaming up with a nonprofit to teach teens how to defend the books in their schools, libraries and communities.

Meet the 1,300 librarians racing to back up Ukraine’s digital archivesOver the past month, 1,300 librarians and archivists across the world, have used open source tools to back up everything from Ukraine's historical records and census data to children’s poems and Ukrainian basket weaving techniques.

The Uncensored Library – Reporters without bordersI support The Uncensored Library and the fight for press freedom. #TruthFindsAWay

Teens fight for the right to read with ‘banned-book clubs’ and lawsuitsStudents around the country say it's crucial to read about difficult and challenging ideas.

Common Tactics Used by Book Challengers

We've examined how to de-escalate and respond to a book challenge, and learned about common topics that motivate these challenges. What are some common tactics used by book challengers, and what is their rationale? Here are some examples:

How Librarians Can Counter Lies from Book Banners | Book RiotOne Illinois library offers a useful case study in how to approach book challenges, especially when the accusations include misinformation.

Book Banners Are Now Trying to Close Public LibrariesAfter a judge told a county to return 17 library books to shelves, local officials considered closing down the whole library system.

What Are We Protecting Children from by Banning Books?Reading the titles that have been challenged and removed from public-school libraries across the country.

A Fast-Growing Network of Conservative Groups Is Fueling a Surge in Book BansSome groups are new, some are longstanding. Some are local, others national. Over the past two years, they have become vastly more organized, well funded, effective — and criticized.

A Utah parent says the Bible contains porn and should be removed from school libraries. Here’s their full challenge.A Utah parent wants their school district to review the Bible for inappropriate content and possibly remove it, calling it “one of the most sex-ridden books around.”

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