Important Resources.
Michigan Library Association Intellectual Freedom Toolkit.
The Michigan Library Association (MLA) is a champion of access and actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom. This toolkit was developed for library leaders, by library leaders to use to build strong policies, establish talking points, address crisis communications, and request assistance for trainings and legal defense.
Kids Right to Read Action Kit for Students & Parents.
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) has been battling censors and book-banning advocates for over 40 years. This collection of materials is presented on how to effectively fight challenges to books in schools for the use of students, educators, parents, and authors.
How to Fight Book Bans: A Tip Sheet for Students.
Campaigns to remove books from public schools and libraries are spreading quickly across the United States—and are often targeting works by LGBTQ+ writers, women writers, and writers of color. This guide will help you fight back against book bans and build a stronger community of readers and advocates in the process.
Tip Sheet: Book Challenges, & Michigan Public Libraries.
This information sheet, compiled by the Library of Michigan provides a general overview of the First Amendment as it applies to Michigan public libraries including tips and links to resources for materials challenges and library policies affecting First Amendment rights.
MLA Advocacy
Resource Fund.
The MLA Advocacy Resource Fund was created to educate and to oppose any current or future legislation, regulations, or executive orders that infringe upon first amendment rights and intellectual freedom. Funds can be used for board trainings and/or defense funds for intellectual freedom challenges. MLA Members are eligible to apply. Submit a request for assistance if you need it.
LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund.
The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund supports library workers whose employment is threatened due to their defense of intellectual freedom. Submit a request for assistance if you need it.
United Against Book Bans Toolkit.
How can you stand up and unite against book bans? United Against Book Bans has put together this action toolkit to help you get started.
Tip Sheet: Book and Material Challenges for Michigan Public Library Board Members.
Drafted by the Library of Michigan staff, this information sheet is intended as a tool to assist in clarification and decision making for Public Library Directors and Boards. It includes definitions, background and upholding the oath of office that all public library trustees are sworn to.
Reporting Book Challenges to EveryLibrary.
The EveryLibrary Institute and EveryLibrary are partnering with Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson, an independent researcher focused on the networks, organizations, and individual actors who are leading book banning and book challenge efforts in our nation's school libraries and public libraries. Dr. Magnusson's spreadsheet of book bans and challenges aids library organizations, library staff, education stakeholders, and concerned parents.
Reporting Book Challenges to NCAC.
If you hear about a censorship incident in your community (even if you’re not sure whether it counts as censorship!) report it to the National Coalition Against Censorship. Reporting helps to intervene where they can and track threats to free expression wherever they occur.
Reporting Book Challenges to ALA.
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) provides confidential support during censorship challenges to library materials, services, and programs. Anyone can report censorship, even if they do not require assistance. Report censorship by filling out a simple online form (linked above)
PEN America Index of School Book Bans.
PEN America has collated an Index of School Book Bans, offering a snapshot of the trend. The Index documents decisions to ban books in school libraries and classrooms in the United States from July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. While this is the first time PEN America has conducted a formal count of books banned, the organization has fought back against book bans for decades.
The Free Expression Educators Handbook.
The Free Expression Educators Handbook contains practical tools and advice for managing book challenges and censorship controversies in schools and school libraries. It offers guidance for educators developing inclusive and viewpoint-neutral instructional material policies, including sample review policies.
Terms and Definitions Related to Intellectual Freedom & Censorship.
Compiled by United for Libraries, Terms and Definitions Related to Intellectual Freedom and Censorship, is a collection that clearly defines the language used relating to Intellectual Freedom and censorship challenges.
Materials Challenges: Key Library Policies to Review and Revise.
This tool for library trustees reviews the key components of well-constructed and legal policies and describes the policies that a library should review and/or implement to prepare for the possibility of a materials challenge.
The Student’s Right to Read.
Developed by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), this statement discusses the history and dangers of text censorship which highlight the breadth and significance of the Students’ Right to Read. The statement then culminates in processes that can be followed with different stakeholders when students’ reading rights are infringed.
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.
National Council of Teachers of English Intellectual Freedom Center.
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) operates an Intellectual Freedom Center offering guidance, tools, and other support to teachers faced with challenges in classrooms and schools pertaining to texts, student writing, and/or to teaching methods. NCTE introduced an assistance hotline in 2021 to help meet the needs of those facing challenges to their free expression.
National Parent/Teacher Association (PTA).
This short guide shares the Do's and Don'ts of diversity outreach. Discover best practices from PTAs around the country and learn what your PTA can do to become more inclusive. In another section of the guide, discover best practices on enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in your PTA.
List of the Top 10
Banned Books.
Library staff in every state face an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. In the first eight months of 2022, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 681 challenges to library, school and university materials and services, resulting in more than 1,651 individual book challenges or removals. Most targeted books were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons..
Book Challenge Crisis Hotline.
The National Coalition Against Censorship’s (NCAC) Book Challenge Crisis Hotline allows you to meet with an NCAC staff member to report an incident, tell your story, ask questions, and get the answers you need to help defend Kids’ Right to Read. Meetings are private and confidential.
Handling Materials Reconsideration, Challenges and Censorship: A Checklist.
This checklist was developed by the Library of Michigan to make sure that no stone goes unturned in handling material reconsiderations and challenges.
Infographic - Building and Safeguarding Your School’s LGBTQ+ Collection.
This infographic highlights the resources, inspiration, statistics and easy-to-use ideas contained in Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries, a resource guide using the National School Library Standards as a lens to support LGBTQ-inclusive library collections, instruction, and spaces.
Intellectual Freedom Manual.
The new tenth edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, published by ALA, is a living document that serves as the authoritative reference for day-to-day guidance on maintaining free and equal access to information for all people. Includes developing or revising policies, on-boarding new staff or trustees, responding to challenges and controversies, or studying librarianship. (This is not a free resource and must be purchased.)
GLAAD Media Guide: Reporting on Book Bannings and School Censorship.
GLAAD’s media guide provides context and sourcing recommendations for journalists covering the uptick in book bans and school censorship. In this guide, you will find advocates and professional associations speaking out against book bans, parent and student groups resisting censorship, background on anti-LGBTQ groups connected to the current censorship efforts, details on 2022 legislation, and more.
PEN America’s Tip Sheet for Librarians Facing Harassment.
This tip sheet provides guidance to equip librarians with strategies to navigate online abuse. While this resource acknowledges the ways that online abuse can move offline, it is primarily focused on digital safety.
First Amendment Teacher Resources.
A collection of First Amendment teacher and educator resources, including lesson plans, virtual field trips, and programming opportunities from the First Amendment Museum.
Fight for the First.
Fight for the First offers the immediate resources that small campaigns fighting back against censorship need to be successful. Backed by EveryLibrary's vast digital reach, with millions of weekly social media impressions, a national voter file in the hundreds of thousands, targeted email lists, and digital advertising dollars, Fight for the First empowers communities to act in defense of their constitutional right to free speech.
GLAAD Media Guide: Reporting on Book Bannings and School Censorship.
GLAAD’s media guide provides context and sourcing recommendations for journalists covering the uptick in book bans and school censorship. In this guide, you will find advocates and professional associations speaking out against book bans, parent and student groups resisting censorship, background on anti-LGBTQ groups connected to the current censorship efforts, details on 2022 legislation, and more.
Michigan League of Women Voters Social Policy Positions on the Structure and Function of Public Libraries.
In 2023, League of Women Voters updated their policy positions on Michigan public libraries to include a statement in favor of intellectual freedom and individual choice.
Book Bans: A Guide for Community Response & Action.
A guide released by GLAAD about how to take action to fight book bans at the local level. This guide condenses information from experts and advocates to help readers understand the broader context of book banning and navigate censorship in their own communities.
Unite Against Book Bans Book Résumés
Book Résumés help teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, book review committees, elected officials, and board members.
Hostile Territory: Mapping Michigan’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Movement & Other Government Acts Of Censorship
The ACLU of Michigan documents incidents of censorship targeting LGBTQ+ books and authors that have resulted in a formal review process in addition to other acts of government censorship.