Materials Challenges

RAILS strongly supports the Association of Illinois School Library Educator's (AISLE) efforts to oppose attempts to censor or remove books from school libraries, including their recent statement on censorship:

"AISLE is opposed to any attempt to force the removal of materials from school libraries. We strongly condemn recent efforts, by force or intimidation, to remove works that focus on or document the experiences of members of the LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC communities. We oppose censorship and any effort that limits or denies access to materials to coerce belief, suppress opinion, or punish those whose expression does not conform to a singular point-of-view of history, politics, or religion."

Read AISLE's full statement here

RAILS holds monthly meetings with representatives from AISLE and other statewide partner organizations in support of school libraries.

RAILS Events

• Preparing for and Handling Book Challenges (RAILS CE Archives, recorded April 11, 2022)
• RAILS Online Roundtable: Ins and Outs of Materials Challenges (recorded March 14, 2022)
• Presentation on Materials Challenges (RAILS Member Update, recorded January 19, 2022)
• Check the Library Directory & Learning Calendar (L2) calendar for upcoming events

What You Can Do

• Share: Report challenges to ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom
• Advocate: See ideas and inspirations in the Banned Books Week Handbook
• Know your Rights: ALA's Library Bill of Rights
• Donate: LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund

Examples from Libraries

• RAILS Library Policies, Procedures, and Plans Repository: Find example policies from RAILS member libraries on material challenges
• Gender Queer: Staff Talking Points (Northbrook Public Library)
• Staff Training: Responding to Patron Concerns (Northbrook Public Library)
• Pikes Peak Library District Challenged Materials Policy
• Retention of Challenged Materials Policy(Northwestern University)

More Resources

Best Practices

• The Time Is Now: Preparing for Challenges to Library Resources
• Selection and Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School and Academic Libraries(ALA)
• How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Materials(ALA)
• Considerations and Guidelines for School Officials(National Coalition Against Censorship)
• Fight Censorship ( ALA Resource Page)

Key Articles

• Book Résumés
• PA 103-0100 & State Grants for Public & School Libraries
• 2023 IL Register Rules of Governmental Agencies (Admin rules can be found on PDF page number 87)
• Public Act 103-0100
• Challenged Materials Policy
• Collection Development and RA: Materials Challenges
• Guidelines for Managing Requests for Reconsideration or Challenges to Library Materials
• Materials Challenge Resources
• Steps to Take When Materials Are Challenged
• Challenge Support
• Libraries Faced a Flood of Challenges to Books and Materials in 2022
• How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
• Protect your right to read. Here are three ways that you can get involved.
• DPLA launches The Banned Book Club to ensure access to banned books
• Literacy as a Political Issue: Libraries and Book Challenges
• PrairieCat eNewsletter-Book Banning
• The First Amendment, Censorship and Books in Your Library
• Secretary Giannoulias to Libraries: We’re United Against Banning Books
• As Book Bans Increase across the Country, a BU Scholar Is Fighting Back
• Hide Your Books to Avoid Felony Charges, Fla. Schools Tell Teachers
• What Book Bans Are Doing to School Library Purchases
• The Strain Of Censorship On Public Libraries
• Preparing for Materials Challenges in Your School Library
• Materials Challenges in the Library: What Does the Law Say?
• Censorship Attempts Will Have a Long-lasting Impact on School Library Collections, SLJ Survey Shows
• Conservative parents take aim at library apps meant to expand access to books
• Book bullies attempt to hide our diversity
• Book banning has a long and homophobic history | Opinion
• Some parents now want e-reader apps banned – and they're getting results
• The next book ban: States aim to limit titles students can search for
• Voters Oppose Book Bans in Libraries

Events

• Free Speech Under Attack: Book Bans and Academic Censorship(Congressional Hearing Recorded)
• Banned Books: When Books are Threatened, Where Do We Turn?(Penguin Random House Recorded)
• Beyond Banned Books: Defending Intellectual Freedom Throughout Your Library with Kristin Pekoll (ILA Recorded Webinar)
• AASL Town Hall: Book Challenges (ALA Recorded Webinar)
• Hooray for Freedom! Part One: Privacy, Confidentiality, and Intellectual Freedom in the Library (WebJunction - Requires free account to view)
• Hooray for Freedom! Part Two: Developing Policies in Support of Ethical Practice (WebJunction - Requires free account to view)

Organizations and Other Resources

• AISLE Intellectual Freedom Toolkit
• ALA Statement on Book Censorship
• National Coalition Against Censorship: School Book Challenge Resource Center
• RU548: fREADom to READ: A resource created to support librarians and teachers in the work of navigating book challenge and strengthening practices BEFORE the book challenge occurs
• Terms and Definitions Related to Intellectual Freedom and Censorship (ALA United for Libraries)
• Materials Challenges: Key Library Policies to Review and Revise (ALA United for Libraries)
• List of Ongoing Censorship Cases - Courtesy of Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson
• Intellectual Freedom Blog (ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom)
• The Students' Right to Read (National Council of Teachers of English)
• Defend LGBTQ Stories: A Resource (National Coaltion Against Censorship)
• Freedom to Read Foundation
• Intellectual Freedom Round Table (ALA)
• Banned Books Week
• Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
• Unite Against Book Bans Action Toolkit (ALA Initiative)
• Fight Censorship (ALA Compiled Resources)
• Privacy Field Guides (ALA/IMLS)