ALA’s Annual Meeting in Chicago in June is becoming a distant memory as Summer Reading takes up most of my time and brain, but It is clear from attending several education sessions at ALA, as well as having casual chats with other conference goers, that the fight to maintain access to information and books that tell ALL stories is ongoing and we all need to stay informed. Librarians, authors, illustrators, publishers, and all others who value reading widely and providing access to accurate and unbiased information are winning some battles. But unfortunately, the list of challenged books continues to grow, with nonfiction titles growing in numbers as well as anything with queer content. This message was presented in an education session sponsored by the ALSC Intellectual Freedom Committee, details of which were covered by School Library Journal.
Tag: advocacy
ALSC Intellectual Freedom Committee: Year in Review
Every committee chair has heard it: “It’s really not that much work!” This is the phrase we’re told when an outgoing chairperson is recruiting new committee leadership. Every incoming chairperson knows it’s a lie, but we tell ourselves it’s true when we say yes. This was certainly the case when my co-chair, Julia Nephew, and I agreed to take on the ALSC Intellectual Freedom Committee, but we didn’t anticipate the roller coaster of a year the committee would have!
Interviewing Library Advocates: Ernesto Cisneros, Children’s Author
Read on to see how a youth author found inspiration from libraries & the importance of representation.
Kreyòl, Community, Connection: Reimagining Outreach for Haitian Families
Migration from Haiti to the United States is driven by a complex mix of systemic “push” factors, with nearly half of the nation’s Haitian immigrant population settling in Florida (Finnegan, 2023). For many Haitian families, the transition involves navigating urgent physiological needs before shifting toward “settling in,” a process that includes mastering English, securing childcare, and accessing healthcare (Finnegan, 2023). As we honor Haitian American Heritage Month this May, the City of North Miami Public Library highlights a model that centers these families through intentional, culturally responsive service. Building Trust with the Family Unit Many Haitian families harbor a deep-seated distrust of government entities due to historical experiences in Haiti. Libraries can overcome this by acting as intermediaries, transferring trust from established community partners to the library itself (Finnegan, 2023). North Miami strengthens these bonds by: Intergenerational Support and Accessibility In the Haitian diaspora, school-aged children often acquire English quickly…
Bravery in the Fight Against Censorship
I had the honor a few years ago of serving on the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee, administered by the Association of Jewish Libraries, an affiliate of ALA. Sydney Taylor was the author of the All-of-a-Kind Family and its sequels. The series is about a Jewish family with 5 daughters living in New York in the years leading up to and following World War I. Recently, a colleague reflected on the series: “I loved those books! I had no idea what Shabbat was or what any of the other things they celebrated were but it was such a fun window into another world. They were our generation’s version of American Girl stories.” She saw the value of diverse literature even as a kid; it opened her world to another time, place, and people who were different from her in many ways, but it was exciting to read, laugh, and even…
Continuing the Conversation: Books that Spotlight Book Banning
In January, the ALSC Intellectual Freedom Committee posted about using picture books to discuss censorship. This is a timely topic, so we wanted to keep the conversation going and resources flowing. Books on book banning invite children to think about what happens when a book disappears from a bookshelf. These titles would be perfect for reading aloud and discussing how each of us has different beliefs and whether our beliefs should infringe on others. If we continue to ban or reject books, our library and classroom shelves may eventually be empty. Same Page by Elly Swartz (2025). Bess and her friend June become sixth grade class president and vice president. They get the PTO to purchase a book vending machine, but when some books are removed from the machine due to a parent’s complaint, Bess and June’s friendship is on the rocks. The parent is June’s mom. Bess doesn´t understand…
Put the Bulletin Board to Work: Turning Time, Art, and Feedback Into Community Voice
Changing bulletin boards each month can feel like a lot of work, especially when you are responsible for several at once. They take planning and time to put together, so it makes sense to get more from that effort. Interactive bulletin boards provide opportunities to gather ideas, notice patterns, share results, and shape meaningful library programs. (Get inspired by these ALSC blog posts about the wide-ranging impact of bulletin boards in the library.) Start with a Plan Decide in advance what your focus will be. Some months might feature art that invites patrons to draw, color, or contribute pieces to a larger project. Other months might focus on feedback using sticky notes, checkmarks, or short written responses to questions about programs, certain books, or events. During Summer Reading, the board may (likely) explain how to participate and earn incentives. At other times, they will highlight important community cultural celebrations or…
Interviewing Library Advocates: Isariya Locke, Children’s Librarian, Fresno County Public Library
Read how Isariya Locke is helping families feel seen and welcome through play and advocacy.