With the severe uptick in censorship and book challenges, MI Right to Read offers this
clearinghouse of resources to assist in responding to and supporting each other.
Any citizen, library employee, student, parent, library trustee, teacher, or other member of a community who knows of a
complaint or challenge is encouraged to report such incidents.
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.
Important Organizations.
Michigan Library Association.
The Michigan Library Association (MLA) actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom – the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession and a basic right in our democratic society.
Library Cooperatives of Michigan.
Michigan library cooperatives were created to provide member libraries with access to resource sharing, training, communications, and library development. As a valued resource, the Library Cooperatives of Michigan is a state-wide innovator, consisting of the 11 regional library cooperatives, working in concert with each other and partner organizations to advocate for and facilitate access to resources, programs and services for libraries.
PEN
America.
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. They champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Their mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
American Library Association.
Founded in 1876, the American Library Association (ALA) provides leadership for the improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. ALA affirms the rights of individuals to form their own opinions about resources they choose to read, view, listen to, or otherwise access.