Fighting Silent Censorship

Resource Page

The following webpages include resources from the American Library Association, national organizations, and associations that focus on intellectual freedom.

ALA Resources

  • (ALA) Collection of State and Local Resources - This webpage includes a collection of links to specific state and local resources.
  • (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Blog - The Intellectual Freedom Blog’s purpose is to educate and encourage discussions about intellectual freedom principles, and promote the value of libraries, librarians, and professional membership in the American Library Association. This blog is a collection of Intellectual Freedom news items from around the United States.
  • (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Committee - ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of library users in accordance with the first amendment.
  • (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) - The ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table provides a forum for the discussion of activities, programs, and problems in intellectual freedom of libraries and librarians; serves as a channel of communications on intellectual freedom matters; promotes a greater opportunity for involvement among the members of the ALA in defense of intellectual freedom and; promotes a greater feeling of responsibility in the implementation of ALA policies on intellectual freedom.
  • ALA Library Bill of Rights - The Library Bill of Rights is a vital list of policies that should guide library services. These principles are essential to libraries and information organizations across America.
  • (ALA) Office of Intellectual Freedom - The Office of Intellectual Freedom is the office within ALA that offers support, training, and public awareness for dealing with materials challenges and censorship. This office offers free and confidential support to anyone who is dealing with censorship and intellectual freedom challenges.
  • (ALA) “Report Censorship” Toolkit - This ALA created “Report Censorship” Toolkit is full of ideas and inspiration to discuss intellectual freedom. The toolkit includes a list of sample social media posts, Listserv ideas, and graphics to use.
  • (ALA) State Intellectual Freedom Network (SIFnet) - The State Intellectual Freedom Network (SIFnet) serves as a connecting point between ALA, ALA Chapters, ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries) Chapters, and AASL (American Association of School Libraries) Chapters about intellectual freedom.

Organizations, Projects, and Newsletters

  • BOOK RIOT Literary Activism Newsletter - Literary Activism is a weekly newsletter covering book bans, censorship, and challenges to the First Amendment Rights of readers. This website includes resources for fighting book bans and library challenges.
  • For the People - For The People is an explicitly political project aimed at building power on the Left(s) to protect, defend, and expand public libraries in communities across the county.
  • Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) - The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the ALA. FTRF protects and defends the First Amendment to the Constitution and supports the right of libraries to collect - and individuals to access - information.
  • IFLS Checklist - The IFLS checklist includes a collection of intellectual freedom resources, webinars, and links.
  • Library Freedom Project - The Library Freedom Project is a collective of library professionals that are working together to build information democracy. The LFP serves as a community and also provides resources to teach and promote information democracy, privacy, and intellectual freedom.
  • National Coalition Against Censorship - The National Coalition Against Censorship was formed by a group of activists affiliated with the ACLU in response to the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Miller v. California, which narrowed First Amendment protections for sexual expression and opened the door to obscenity prosecutions. As an alliance of more than 50 national non-profits, including literary, artistic, religious, educational, professional, labor, and civil liberties groups, the NCAC have engaged in direct advocacy and education to support First Amendment principles for over 40 years.
  • National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) Intellectual Freedom Center - The NCTE began fighting against censorship challenges in the 1950s. Today the NCTE has an intellectual freedom helpline for members and aims to support educators who teach English.
  • State Library Association Censorship Form - This form was designed as a starting point for state library associations that want to collect censorship data. To collect censorship and challenge data at your state library association, copy and paste the questions in the pdf below into the survey platform of your choosing. Please make any revisions or edits to the form to fit the needs of your association.
  • United Against Book Bans - United Against Book Bans is a national initiative working to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.