The Fight against Book Bans: Perspectives from the Field [Paperback]

Book bans and challenges frequently make the news, but when the reporting ends, how do we put them in context?The Fight against Book Banscaptures the views of dozens of librarians and library science professors regarding the recent flood of book challenges across the United States, gathered in a comprehensive analysis of their impact and significance. It also serves as a guide to responding to challenges.

Chapter authors provide first-hand accounts of facing book challenges and describe how they have prepared for challenges, overcome opposition to certain books, and shown the value of specific library materials. Library science faculty with a range of specialties provide relevant background information to bolster these on-the-ground views. Together, the chapters both articulate the importance of intellectual freedom and demonstrate how to convey that significance to others in the community with passion and wisdom. This volume provides a timely and thorough overview of the complex issues surrounding the ongoing spate of book challenges faced by public and school libraries.

This book provides helpful tips for dealing with allies/opponents during challenge attemptsincluding parents, trustees, and politiciansand it stresses the need for well-written, thoughtfully considered collection, selection, and reconsideration policies. All librarians will benefit from reading this book and following the guidance within. -Choice 360

This timely book will be an excellent resource for library workers on the front lines in the fight to protect access to information. Using a combination of stories from the field and practical advice for responding to threats to intellectual freedom, Oltmann has assembled a valuable resource that captures the concerns of this moment and provides hope for the future. l0