Purpose
To uphold the value of intellectual freedom in Virginia's libraries by monitoring and reporting on intellectual freedom issues in the Commonwealth.
Committee Member Roster
VLA’s Intellectual Freedom and Executive Committees recently sent a letter to the Boards of Supervisors of King William, Hanover and Goochland Counties in response to an email to the King William Board by a resident.
Below is the email sent by VLA, and at the bottom this page, the original email (February 8) that prompted the response. VLA’s response was emailed on February 16. READ MORE
Celebrate Banned Books Week October 1-7, 2023
The VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee invites you to honor Banned Books Week, Oct. 1-7, 2023, themed "Let Freedom Read " by the American Library Association's 2023. Many libraries across the Commonwealth of Virginia will be hosting displays of banned books— books that while not completely eliminated from publication or distribution have been challenged and at times removed from libraries by government order. That some libraries find it politically unsafe to speak of “Banned Books” displays and need to use other terminology, such as "First Amendment" displays, provides a renewed justification for setting apart this week. Many libraries are also offering programming and activities, such as readings from banned books, to raise awareness about efforts to censor and the importance of standing for the right to read as a basic First Amendment and Civil right of all Americans.
We also invite you to read Nan Carmack's, VLA President-Elect, statement about Banned Books Week drafted by VLA’s President-Elect Nan Carmack, below.
Banned Books Week Oct 1 -7. 2023 - Nan Carmack, President-Elect, Virginia Library Association Banned Books Week serves not only to celebrate literature that disrupts comfortable thinking but also the very first idea that the founders of the United States of America added to our Constitution: The First Amendment. In asserting the freedom of speech to every person, our founders held sacred the notion that no one should be prevented from expressing or consuming ideas that others may find objectionable. Books that fall on the lists of banned or challenged books demonstrate the attempt by some to silence an author from expressing their ideas, their lived experience, their imagination. Bans and challenges also attempt to thwart the freedom of readers to explore the same ideas, experiences, and imaginings. Dr. Rudine Bishop Simms, professor emeritus at Ohio State University, wrote a famed essay in which she likens books to “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors.” These analogies demonstrate how literature can provide the reader with a reflection of themselves, a window into which they can view the experience of another, and very special books that allow us to step into another world entirely. In doing so, books have the power to help folks grow their capacity for empathy, understanding, and compassion. This week, we celebrate not only the value of literature that challenge our own experiences, but the American ideal of the freedom of speech, in which no one person or entity can tell us what we can and cannot read. This week, we celebrate the League of Women Voters standing up for the Freedom to Read. Which book will you choose to read in celebration?
VIDEO
356 unique book titles were challenged across Virginia in the first 8 months of 2023, according to the American Library Association. That's nearly twice the 182 titles that came under fire in the state in 2022, which was double the previous year's number.
-October 3, 2023
Email to membership: {VLA} Legislation Affecting Libraries Defeated: Update on General Assembly February 20, 2023
Resources and Continuing Education
Intellectual Freedom Issues and General Resources
Privacy Issues
Banned Books
Fake News Info & Resources
School Censorship
Internet and Net Neutrality
Reporting Challenges
Has your library experienced a challenge or a reconsideration of your materials, displays, website content, or another intellectual freedom issue? Let the VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee know, and we can offer support, guidance, and resources for you and your library. If you aren’t sure what constitutes a reconsideration or a challenge, please report it and let us know anyway.
Contact: VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair, Keith Weimer
The American Library Association collects statistics on challenges as well to monitor trends in intellectual freedom issues. If you have received a challenge at your library, please fill out their quick and easy challenge report (this can be submitted anonymously).
Book Resumes
To help navigate the many book challenges happening in Virginia, VLA is sharing "book resumes for commonly challenged books. Resumes are completed by librarians throughout the state who volunteer to complete. Resumes can be found here .
If you're interested in helping with completing a resume, click to complete the Virginia Challenged Book Resume Collaboration form. You can select up to five books.
Court Cases in Virginia Beach 2022 in favor of A Court of Mist and Fury and Gender Queer
VLA has created a
Dropbox of files related to the court cases, CL22-1984 (A Court of Mist and Fury) and CL22-1985 (Gender Queer). Original Petitions and Finals Orders are included, as well as briefs submitted by the authors, publishers and other interested parties.
Virginia Intellectual Freedom In the News
Recent News
March 2024
March 25, 2024 Many Rockingham Co. parents and school staff have opinions and almost all have questions about book policies https://hburgcitizen.com/2024/03/25/many-rockingham-co-parents-and-school-staff-have-opinions-and-almost-all-have-questions-about-book-policies/
March 25, 2024 Virginia ranked second highest in attempts to restrict books https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/article_1d0dc626-eb0d-11ee-8028-bf06bc22417b.html
March 25, 2024 Bible remains in Hanover County school libraries despite challenge https://richmond.com/news/local/education/hanover-book-ban-bible-challenge-school-board-library-policy/article_1a091654-e89e-11ee-b02d-bf9649529e8b.html
March 21, 2024 Self-polinating narrator of 'Wishtree' called 'indoctrination,' Virginia District Read canceled https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/Self-Pollinating-Narrator-of-Wishtree-Called-Indoctrination-Virginia-County-Group-Read-Cancelled-censorship-News
March 20, 2024 In Virginia, censors attempt to axe Wishtree https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/94637-in-virginia-censors-attempt-to-axe-wishtree.html
March 19, 2024 Supreme Court case examines social media misinformation and censorship https://www.whsv.com/2024/03/19/supreme-court-case-examines-social-media-misinformation-censorship/
March 15, 2024 VCU provost sends racial literacy syllabi to Youngkin's Cabinet https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-03-15/virginia-commonwealth-university-vcu-racial-literacy-vdoe
March 15, 2024 Authors withdraw from PEN America festival in protest over Israel-Gaza war https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/15/pen-america-festival-authors-withdraw-israel-gaza-war-protest
March 14, 2024 ALA reports record spike in book titles challenged in 2023 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/94586-ala-reports-record-spike-in-book-titles-challenged-in-2023.html
March 14, 2024 Censorship efforts at libraries continued to soar in 2023, according to a new report https://www.wric.com/entertainment-news/ap-censorship-efforts-at-libraries-continued-to-soar-in-2023-according-to-a-new-report/
March 13, 2024 Spotsylvania fires schools superintendent https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/spotsylvania-fires-schools-superintendent-mark-taylor-hearing-set/article_4cba38aa-e13f-11ee-a4c4-3b1d437f784e.html
March 13, 2024 Why the House voted to ban TikTok and what could come next https://whro.org/news/national-news/45722-house-expected-to-approve-bill-forcing-tiktok-to-either-be-sold-or-face-a-u-s-ban
March 12, 2024 ‘Unprecedented intervention’: VCU professors concerned after Youngkin requests to review racial literacy curriculum https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/vcu-professors-concerned-after-youngkin-requests-to-review-racial-literacy-curriculum/
March 11, 2024 [Rockingham County Public School] Board introduces draft policy for library books https://www.dnronline.com/news/rcps-board-introduces-draft-policy-for-library-books/article_26e35c94-12a3-5c4f-9a0e-cb6f7c91dfea.html
March 8, 2024 Augusta County School Board delays vote on library policy changes https://augustafreepress.com/news/augusta-county-school-board-delays-vote-on-library-policy-changes/
March 8, 2024 Virginia governor signs 64 bills into law, vetoes 8 others as legislative session winds down https://apnews.com/article/virginia-gov-glenn-youngkin-bills-signed-vetoed-33082fcc7ecda04f9c9b1706c2fc8bdb
March 7, 2024 Hanover leader calls for change after children’s book with same-sex parents sparks controversy https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/hanover-county/hanover-leader-calls-for-change-after-childrens-book-with-same-sex-parents-sparks-controversy/
March 4, 2024 Freedom Reads Opens 32 “Freedom Libraries” at VADOC’s Buckingham/Dillwyn correctional centers https://www.vadoc.virginia.gov/news-press-releases/2024/freedom-reads-opens-32-freedom-libraries-at-vadoc-s-buckinghamdillwyn-correctional-centers/
February 2024
January 2024
January 31, 2024 Proposed Virginia bill seeks reversal of law that allows schools to 'rip books off the shelf' without process https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/sb-235-bill-jan-31-2024
January 31, 2024 Senate passes bill cracking down on censorship of sexually explicit materials in schools https://wset.com/news/local/senate-passes-bill-cracking-down-on-censorship-of-sexually-explicit-materials-in-schools-republican-senator-mark-peake-democrat-ghazala-hashmi-bill-235-cindy-younghouse-bedford-county-public-schools-virginia-january-2024
January 30, 2024 First RCPS Library work session kicks off new review policy https://www.dnronline.com/news/first-rcps-library-work-session-kicks-off-new-review-policy/article_b9ba840f-95c2-5666-9fd3-8946fd0d260a.html
January 30, 2024 ‘Unacceptable and hurtful’: RCPS librarians struggle with recent book ban https://www.breezejmu.org/news/unacceptable-and-hurtful-rcps-librarians-struggle-with-recent-book-ban/article_0e7b4e16-bfda-11ee-afae-3754641433f8.html
January 29, 2024 Missing books - some of them - back in [Spotsylvania] school division central office https://fxbgadvance.substack.com/p/missing-books-back-in-school-division
January 25, 2024 Hanover panel votes to remove LGBTQ+ love story from school libraries https://richmond.com/news/local/education/lgbtq-book-banned-hanover-schools-library/article_69bfbf12-bb04-11ee-bb93-d3bb98062ddb.html
January 24, 2024 Rockingham County students protest temporary book bans https://www.whsv.com/2024/01/24/rockingham-county-students-protest-temporary-book-bans/
January 24, 2024 [Rockingham County] Students walk-out, community members speak up against book removals https://www.dnronline.com/news/students-walk-out-community-members-speak-up-against-book-removals/article_39a46e88-18e0-518a-a8ad-8eac0ce9770d.html
January 23, 2024 Spotsylvania schools superintendent placed on leave https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/education/spotsylvania-school-board-votes-to-place-superintendent-mark-taylor-on-leave/article_15601d54-ba2d-11ee-9eaf-37e3146581b0.html
January 22, 2024 [Rockingham] County School Board receives letters following controversial decisions https://www.dnronline.com/news/county-school-board-receives-letters-following-controversial-decisions/article_eb0ae13e-b766-5347-a572-8d4f167349a4.html
January 22, 2024 Redistricting plans, book bans raise concerns at Rockingham County Public Schools board meeting https://www.whsv.com/video/2024/01/23/redistricting-plans-book-bans-raise-concerns-rockingham-county-public-schools-board-meeting/
January 17, 2024 Hanover School Board discusses proposed changes to library policy https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/hanover-county/hanover-school-board-talks-policy-changes-on-school-libraries-and-media-centers/
January 9, 2024 In Spotsylvania, the rollback [of school library book removals] begins https://fxbgadvance.substack.com/p/in-spotsylvania-the-rollback-begins
January 8, 2024 Rockingham County School Board votes to 'temporarily remove' list of 57 books https://www.dnronline.com/news/rockingham-county-school-board-votes-to-temporarily-remove-list-of-55-books/article_2c60d75f-7022-5ec9-8ecd-201afec3939b.html
January 8, 2024 Augusta County Schools to review policy on reviewing challenged books https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2024/01/08/book-banning-augusta-county-schools-to-review-challenged-book-policy/72118330007/
December 2023
December 29, 2023 'It’s an act of resistance:' Groups ramp up efforts in the fight to stop book bans https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/29/more-groups-are-launching-projects-to-stop-the-rise-of-book-bans/72008712007/
December 28, 2023 Pro-Palestinian opinions more likely to be censored on Facebook, report finds https://www.whsv.com/2023/12/29/pro-palestinian-opinions-more-likely-be-censored-facebook-report-finds/
December 27, 2023 This Arlington librarian is pushing back against book bans https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/12/27/diane-kresh-librarian-arlington-book-bans/
December 27, 2023 Complaints about library books have decreased following summer debates in Appomattox, Botetourt https://cardinalnews.org/2023/12/27/then-now-complaints-about-library-books-have-decreased-following-summer-debates-in-appomattox-botetourt/
December 23, 2023 The Post reviewed 1,000 school book challenges. Here’s what we found. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/23/post-reviewed-1000-school-book-challenges-heres-what-we-found/
December 15, 2023 Some Fairfax School Board members sworn in on banned books https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/15/fairfax-school-board-swearing-in-books/
December 14, 2023 Virginia court revives lawsuit by teacher fired for refusing to use transgender student’s pronouns https://apnews.com/article/teacher-fired-transgender-student-pronouns-6fd28b4172fb5fca752599ae2adfb602
December 14, 2023 Is time up for youth on TikTok? Gov. Youngkin seems to think so https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/is-time-up-for-youth-on-tiktok-gov-youngkin-seems-to-think-so/
December 12, 2023 Bristol [VA/TN] Public Library receives $50,000 grant from T-Mobile to create ‘Mobile Minds Library’ https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bristol-public-library-receives-50000-grant-from-t-mobile-to-create-mobile-minds-library/
December 6, 2023 NCAC objects to the removal of 75 books from school libraries in Hanover County, Virginia https://ncac.org/news/ncac-objects-to-the-removal-of-75-books-from-school-libraries-in-hanover-county-virginia
December 5, 2023 Virginia AG sides with religious parents in federal appeal over LGBTQ books in schools https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-12-05/virginia-ag-sides-with-religious-parents-in-federal-appeal-over-lgbtq-books-in-schools
December 3, 2023 Spotsylvania superintendent sponsors different kind of book fair https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/spotsylvania-superintendent-sponsors-different-kind-of-book-fair/article_f4d37142-9157-11ee-82e7-9f63fb407e30.html
December 2, 2023 Bible and young adult fiction novel challenged for removal in Hanover Public Schools https://richmond.com/news/local/education/hanover-bible-valiant-ladies-book-ban-removal-library/article_dae2bf6e-9084-11ee-8d4a-fb4671b71508.html
November 2023
November 30, 2023 [Loudoun County Public Schools] students say administrators are censoring pro-Palestinian protests https://www.loudountimes.com/news/lcps-students-say-administrators-are-censoring-pro-palestinian-protests/article_cf2cbd42-8e58-11ee-b719-db52455fc7ba.html
November 27, 2023 Virginia school district enlists Scholastic book fair alternative https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/27/virginia-scholastic-book-fair-spotsylvania-skytree
November 23, 2023 Library opponents to face off in Dec. 14 defamation trial https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/library-opponents-to-face-off-in-dec-14-defamation-trial/article_9a5be55a-4db8-5744-bd9d-3b900e947221.html
November 23, 2023 Why 'parental rights' groups keep losing school board seats https://themessenger.com/politics/democrats-school-board-wins-parental-rights
November 21, 2023 Fauquier school board shifts toward parents’ rights https://www.fauquier.com/news/article_95d00896-8896-11ee-8cd7-f3cc9c13f52f.html
November 21, 2023 Hanover Schools directs principals to remove 75 books from libraries https://roanoke.com/news/state-regional/education/hanover-schools-directs-principals-to-remove-75-books-from-libraries/article_04d63b3b-599e-5de8-bbea-eca9f0acd8ee.html
November 20, 2023 Hanover is removing 75 books from school libraries. Here's what they're about. https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/hanover-schools-book-removal-nov-20-2023
November 20, 2023 New twist in Spotsylvania book battle https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/new-twist-in-spotsylvania-book-battle/article_959b36b0-8590-11ee-8b79-b3d780c0fe4f.html
November 16, 2023 Franklin County schools to vote on new policy on book challenges; more https://cardinalnews.org/2023/11/16/franklin-county-schools-to-vote-on-new-policy-on-book-challenges-more/
November 16, 2023 [Fluvanna County] School Board approves committee to evaluate challenged books https://fluvannareview.com/2023/11/school-board-approves-committee-to-evaluate-challenged-books/
November 14, 2023 Spotsylvania County school board pauses plan for parent approval over library books https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/spotsylvania-county-school-board-pauses-plan-for-parent-approval-over-library-books/3470651/
November 14, 2023 Shenandoah County School Board OKs library materials selection policy https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/shenandoah-county-school-board-oks-library-materials-selection-policy/article_7b5fcd94-0dce-55f1-a668-7ba53fb3285d.html
November 8, 2023 All new [Loudoun County] School Board elected https://www.loudounnow.com/news/all-new-school-board-elected/article_28b71256-7dfe-11ee-9a35-53fdcc24deb1.html
November 8, 2023 VanValkenburg ousts Dunnavant from Senate, Willett holds House seat https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/virginia-voting-legislature-schuyler-vanvalkenburg-henrico-county-siobhan-dunnavant-rod-willett-riley-shaia-kim-taylor-kimberly-pope-adams/article_3e330260-780f-11ee-b7e4-3f072e6386ad.html
November 7, 2023 Democratic-backed candidates poised to sweep Fairfax County school board race https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/11/07/fairfax-county-school-board-election-results/
November 7, 2023 School board races see split decisions on questions of parental rights, LGBTQ+ issues https://cardinalnews.org/2023/11/07/school-board-races-see-split-decisions-on-questions-of-parental-rights-lgbtq-issues/
November 6, 2023 NAACP says docs show Youngkin administration acts arbitrarily when restoring voting rights https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-11-06/naacp-says-docs-show-youngkin-administration-acts-arbitrarily-when-restoring-voting-rights
November 5, 2023 Virginia school board elections face a pivotal moment as a cozy corner of democracy turns toxic https://apnews.com/article/election-2023-school-board-races-virginia-1148dd5bf6aa60edd919a8b0a0b18efb
November 2, 2023 Virginia parents are over Youngkin’s old classroom culture war playbook https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/02/glenn-youngkin-classroom-culture-war/
November 2, 2023 Book bans and school bathrooms: Republicans to test power of ‘parents’ rights’ movement in Virginia https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/02/parents-right-movement-virginia-republicans
November 2, 2023 Mother's lawsuit against Appomattox schools says division failed notify her of child's gender issue https://newsadvance.com/news/local/mothers-lawsuit-against-appomattox-schools-says-division-failed-to-notify-her-of-childs-gender/article_baa9ec8e-78cb-11ee-8ee0-730b20a92ec5.html
November 1, 2023 Book bans backfiring? Study reveals increased readership for prohibited books https://wjla.com/news/local/study-reveals-increased-readership-for-banned-books-controversial-book-bans-backfire-prohibitions-library-schools-education-controversy-students-children-parents-carnegie-mellon-university-george-mason-university-virginia-library-association
November 1, 2023 A heated battle in Virginia’s largest school district tests the strength of ‘parent rights’ activism https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/glenn-youngkin-virginia-policy-fairfax-county-school-board-rcna122754
November 1, 2023 Hundreds of candidates vying for Virginia school board seats amid book bans, culture wars and more https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/11/01/hundreds-of-candidates-vying-for-virginia-school-board-seats-amid-book-bans-culture-wars-and-more/
November 1, 2023 Virginia admits thousands of voters wrongly purged days before election https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/01/youngkin-virginia-election-voters-removed
October 2023
October 27, 2023 Spotsylvania superintendent: school division is not banning books https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/education/spotsylvania-superintendent-school-division-is-not-banning-books/article_e4189a0e-74e1-11ee-b4fe-47ac9a4bdec6.html
October 25, 2023 Tens of thousands of books banned, restricted in US prisons: Report https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4274510-thousands-books-banned-prisons-pen-america/
October 25, 2023 Scholastic Book Fair will discontinue separate collection of race and gender books https://www.huffpost.com/entry/scholastic-ending-book-fair-separate-catalog-books-on-race-and-lgbtq_n_653889b5e4b0c8556103230c
October 24, 2023 Penguin Random House launches high schoolers’ award to combat book bans https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/24/penguin-random-house-launches-high-schoolers-award-to-combat-book-bans
October 24, 2023 Hanover girl scout creates ‘banned book nook’ after new policy takes 19 books off school shelves https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/hanover-county/hanover-girl-scout-creates-banned-book-nook-after-new-policy/
October 23, 2023 Hanover school board referendum is an opportunity to see democracy in action https://www.virginiamercury.com/2023/10/23/hanover-school-board-referendum-is-an-opportunity-to-see-democracy-in-action/
October 19, 2023 Is Scholastic letting schools exclude books on race and LGBTQ issues at its fairs? https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/national-news/is-scholastic-letting-schools-exclude-books-on-race-and-lgbtq-issues-at-its-fairs/
October 19, 2023 Growing share of Americans say gov't should restrict 'offensive' speech https://www.insidenova.com/news/national/growing-share-of-americans-say-govt-should-restrict-offensive-speech/video_58a6cf2b-50dd-5e7d-a054-beeb59d8c2d3.html
October 19, 2023 Lawsuit dropped after Virginia Beach School Board adopts Gov. Youngkin’s transgender model policies https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/10/19/lawsuit-dropped-after-virginia-beach-school-board-adopts-gov-youngkins-transgender-model-policies/
October 18, 2023 Parents decry “offensive’ books at [Fluvanna County] School Board meeting https://fluvannareview.com/2023/10/parents-decry-offensive-books-at-school-board-meeting/
October 18, 2023 Scholastic to separate books on race, gender and sexuality for book fairs https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/18/scholastic-book-fairs-race-gender-sexuality-school-bans
October 12, 2023 Battle for library cost Samuels $100K https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/battle-for-library-cost-samuels-100k/article_2bf14adf-cc18-5b48-98e6-62873bda6d53.html
October 12, 2023 Hanover Girl Scout fights censorship with 'Banned Book Nooks' https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-10-12/hanover-girl-scout-fights-censorship-with-banned-book-nooks
October 12, 2023 The plot twist behind the strategy of some book ban advocates https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-10-12/the-plot-twist-behind-the-strategy-of-some-book-ban-advocates
October 11, 2023 Bookmobile combating book bans coming to Norfolk amid increased calls for restrictions https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/bookmobile-combating-book-bans-coming-to-norfolk-virginia/291-9c55dcf9-1cb2-4c29-bede-66f8c05b6282
October 11, 2023 In Henrico, Virginia Senate candidates battle over ‘banning books’ accusation https://www.virginiamercury.com/2023/10/11/in-henrico-virginia-senate-candidates-battle-over-banning-books-accusation/
October 11, 2023 Library debate combatants take fight to [Warren County] School Board, political organizing https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/library-debate-combatants-take-fight-to-school-board-political-organizing/article_42e17377-58ab-5e44-92d7-26729579e897.html
October 10, 2023 23 more books removed from Spotsylvania school libraries https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/education/23-more-books-removed-from-spotsylvania-school-libraries/article_3cd2d170-6761-11ee-afdb-f75ed6a276a9.html
October 7, 2023 Virginia library to remain open after county leaders resolve LGBTQ+ book spat https://www.advocate.com/news/samuels-library-front-royal-funded
October 4, 2023 Controversy swarms Lexington City School Board meeting over removed books https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/10/04/controversy-swarms-lexington-city-school-board-meeting-over-removed-books/
October 4, 2023 What it’s like to be a Fairfax Co. librarian in an era of banned books https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2023/10/what-its-like-to-be-a-fairfax-co-librarian-in-an-era-of-banned-books/
October 4, 2023 Adults have a lot to say about book bans — but what about kids? https://www.wvtf.org/2023-10-04/adults-have-a-lot-to-say-about-book-bans-but-what-about-kids
October 4, 2023 Funding for Samuels Library fully restored: Warren County, library leaders agree to terms https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/funding-for-samuels-library-fully-restored-warren-county-library-leaders-agree-to-terms/article_63aaae5d-c7b7-55ac-9c00-e059fcba1cc7.html
October 2, 2023 Where the Supreme Court stands on banning books https://theconversation.com/where-the-supreme-court-stands-on-banning-books-212497
October 1, 2023 Shenandoah County School Board again discusses library book selection policy https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/shenandoah-county-school-board-again-discusses-library-book-selection-policy/article_8c9132d0-f5d0-58b2-b6d8-cb4ccdc0b664.html
October 1, 2023 Just 11 people were responsible for most 2021-2022 school book challenges. A Virginia woman challenged 71 out of the 73 books she read. https://www.businessinsider.com/school-book-challenges-bans-virginia-moms-liberty-education-2023-9