The national book-banning and "Don't Say Trans" efforts are devastating. But there is urgent action YOU can take--right now--to protect the freedom to read (& learn & create) in NY state. A similar, but actually weaker bill was vetoed last year. That's not happening this time. Let's make sure of it.

As promised, an update! An Excellent Example of Public Library Leadership Advocating for School Libraries Teton County Library's Board of Directors has issued a powerful statement against the passage of HR 7661, a national book banning bill. bookriot.com/teton-county...

Here's a video explainer for the now THREE federal book banning bills that could impact EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE NATION.

I'm attending a @theactionnetwork.bsky.social event: Budget Rally for NYC Libraries. RSVP here: actionnetwork.org/events/budge...

All are welcome at the library. www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2026/02...

This lawsuit opens up a bunch of questions about the future of state-sanctioned book banning in Utah and in the other states which are doing something similar.

‘Modern day book-burning’: Bestselling authors sue Utah officials over book bans Two Utah high schoolers are also listed as plaintiffs. https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2026/01/06/utah-book-ban-lawsuit-authors-sue/ #bannedbooks #freedomtoread #utah

The freedom to read is part of early literacy. Alongside books and readiness tips, we share resources on intellectual freedom so families understand how book bans affect young children. Supporting early literacy means ensuring all kids can access a full range of stories.

I'm attending National Domestic Workers Alliance C3's event, “🚨 Emergency Call: ICE Out of Child Care Centers & Schools!” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/ndwa-c3/even...

BREAKING: @governor.ny.gov just approved Trump's Williams-NESE pipeline, hoping no one would notice on a Friday. We noticed, and we're showing up to hold her accountable. Join us: bit.ly/CowardlyKathy

I love talking to librarians about the #FreedomToRead #nyla2025 💥 Thank you for sharing all of the advocacy you’re doing every day! 💓

Thank you, New York City. Together we made history. Now let’s get to work. transition2025.com

One year I was doing school visits when the librarian got a call. Banned Books Week was the following week, and she had booked time in all the classrooms. She was told she could not discuss it or even mention it, as it would be "poking the bear."

Yesterday we celebrated the 5th bday of Rise x Workshop at the Brooklyn Children's Museum! As a special treat, I traded portraits with readers (big and small). Grateful so many visitors were brave and willing to play—the results were surprising and very, very lovely.

Looking for a quick action? Add your name to this petition started by the @aclu.org to protest book bans in military schools action.aclu.org/send-message...

Just in time for #BannedBooksWeek The @bklynlibrary.bsky.social Library Freedom to Read Toolkit helps families with young kids explore why stories matter & how to stand up for the right to read. Created w/ @ncacensorship.bsky.social @uabookbans.bsky.social & Pat Scales. #BooksUnbanned #FreedomToRead

Saw this yesterday at a screening, and it is.... depressing AF but worth the watch, plus connections to grassroots fights against #bannedbooks. They'll be at the Film Forum in NYC in Oct, w Q&A the 3rd & 4th, and there's a page on the website to ask to host a screening. thelibrariansfilm.com

Another great resource for you! 5 activists from around the country give a masterclass on freedom to read advocacy www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjVX...

📅 Together w/Public School Strong, #UniteAgainstBookBans invites libraries, schools, bookstores, & community groups to showcase their #BannedBooksWeek events on PSS' online advocacy calendar. Visit the @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social events page to list your events and find others in your area today!

One easy way to support a banned book: Tell the world you're reading it! If you share on social media include a link to somewhere people can get it. Word of mouth is a powerful way to draw attention to books & that takes readers like you shouting about the books you love!

📚 Join ALA & AASL Presidents + experts to explore how school libraries impact students & policy. Hear stories, research, & advocacy wins like CT’s Freedom to Read bill. 🗓️ Aug 27, 4pm CT/5pm ET. Register: https://bit.ly/4mqsqRE

Book bans are not just about removing stories; they are about silencing voices and reshaping what a generation is allowed to know. When we accept censorship in our schools and libraries, we chip away at the very freedoms our democracy depends on. Stand up. Speak out. Protect the freedom to read.

Libraries nationwide are joining @bklynlibrary.bsky.social's Books Unbanned. “That’s really what the library is about. The freedom to read..We respect that everybody’s different & everyone’s got different needs. And it’s not our business to tell you what to do with those books” #UniteAgainstBookBans

"'None Of These Books Are Obscene'. Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida’s Book Ban Bill" @heykellyjensen.bsky.social Aug 14, 2025 Alt title: Judge confirms that, yes, the SL professionals did their job correctly. #TLSky #EduSky #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarian bookriot.com/penguin-rand...

Coming soon! We’re creating a toolkit for young children and their families to discuss, and take action to protect the #FreedomToRead. This 10 page booklet will be available on the BPL website for download during #BannedBooksWeek🎉

📚 Heading to a board meeting to defend the freedom to read? Bring along some #UniteAgainstBookBans book résumés to inform decision makers and the public of a book's significance and educational value, and why it should be kept on library shelves: bookresumes.uniteagainstbookbans.org

It’s great to see so many new voices speaking out for #Palestine. We need everyone to say #FreePalestine and #FeedPalestine loudly. Speak up if now you haven't yet. Call your reps congress.gov/members and demand a permanent #ceasefire and end to The blockade.

Has your book been banned or challenged? You’re not alone—and you can take action. Here are some resources to get you started: pen.org/book-bans/bo... www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/faq/ #BookBan #FreedomToRead #AuthorsAgainstCensorship #BannedBooks #SoYourBookWasBanned #PENAmerica #StopTheBans

No community is immune from censorship. That's why we ALL must #UniteAgainstBookBans. You have the tools to make a difference. Need a plan to take action? Use our toolkit to organize your community: uniteagainstbookbans.org/toolkit/

Bookmark this. Print a copy and keep it handy. So many absolute gems: “The freedom to read is a shared right, not a zero-sum game.” “Censorship doesn’t happen all at once… it chips away at freedom, one title at a time.”

I hope you'll read this - today - and take heed. this is a part of the book ban crisis we do not talk about enough - the sexualization of the exist of people - www.slj.com/story/The-Ug...

School board elections matter. Don't sit them out if you stand against Nazi-esque book banning. —Joni Hough

"If libraries serve a community, they serve ALL of that community and not just the parts that squawk the loudest." The latest roundup of book censorship news courtesy of Book Riot. bookriot.com/pride-in-lib...

“When people say things like, ‘It's not a book ban, we just removed it from the school library... In some cases, removing that book from that one place of access is effectively erasing the book altogether from that young person’s life.” @bklynlibrary.bsky.social @edsurge.com #UniteAgainstBookBans

We love this idea around creating community around banned books. Thanks @freedomreadproject.bsky.social ! And be sure to follow them! www.freedomtoreadproject.org/recipe_for_a...

We’re working on a Freedom to Read advocacy toolkit for children 2-8 for #BannedBooksWeek! What are some kid friendly actions families can take together to fight #BookBans?

Your activism works! Here are a couple of success stories. First, after 6 months of activism from @aabbri.bsky.social & others, the Freedom to Read Act became the law of the land in Rhode Island on July 2 www.ripbs.org/education/go...

Shooting our videos is a little bit different now.

At the @uabookbans.bsky.social organizing session & "Banned Together" screening at @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social on Saturday, we had the pleasure of meeting @jessicaralli.bsky.social, co-author of new book for young people on disabilities, "All of Us". Highly recommended: bookshop.org/a/7256/97805...

#DisabilityPrideMonth listens for all ages including our latest book in the #FirstConversations series! penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/posts/disabi...

"We Care: A First Conversation About Justice" by Megan Madison & Jessica Ralli, illus. by Sharee Miller Written by people who work with young children -- an engaging text to open discussions with toddlers (and older kids) about race, gender, & other justice topics. bookshop.org/a/7256/97805...

The series is officially complete! ALL OF US: A FIRST CONVERSATION ABOUT DISABILITY is a powerful new addition to the First Conversations series, written by Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison with Jessica Ralli + art by Jonathan Eden. #kidlit #BookstagramTuesday #NewBooks bookshop.org/p/books/all-...

"The goal is never to overwhelm or scare kids; it’s to get them thinking about what they believe,” Ralli said. “The most powerful kind of learning really comes when we formulate our own ideas, and we want that for children too.” #ALAAC25 #BANNEDBOOKS americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc...

Congrats to all the @wearealsc.bsky.social Award winners! #alaac25 💓🎉🎉

We’re making #BannedBook necklaces at #Alaac25 #booksunbanned booth 135. Learn about library partnerships and program funding!

If you need a reminder of what we're fighting for, here are a bunch of authors reading short excerpts of letters sent to them by grateful readers. Recommend having tissues handy.

If you believe that: 1) Reading is critical to our democracy. 2) Books help us understand complex issues. 3) Parents shouldn’t make decisions for other parents’ children. 4) Youth deserve to see themselves in books. Join the campaign to #UniteAgainstBookBans: uniteagainstbookbans.org/take-action/

@sevenstories.bsky.social Big fan of your books for young readers! #ALAAC25

Add your ideas about the #FreedomToRead padlet.com/jessicaralli...