Protection of Librarians from Book Bans in New Mexico

New Mexico lawmakers are crafting a bill to protect librarians from pressure to remove books, withholding state funding from public libraries that ban books due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval or the author's race, nationality, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Blocking of Arkansas Law Criminalizing 'Harmful' Materials to Minors

A federal judge blocked a Republican-backed Arkansas law that would have criminalized providing 'harmful' or 'obscene' materials to minors, stating it was too vague and unconstitutional. The law would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing such materials.

Librarians losing jobs over book challenges in Prattville, Ala.

Four librarians in Prattville, Ala., have lost their jobs over book challenges, with one of them seeking to be reinstated.

Book Bans and Censorship in the US

Book challenges and bans have increased across the US, with some states passing laws imposing penalties on libraries for distributing materials deemed inappropriate. Recent legislation threatens librarians and educators with fines, imprisonment, and even criminal charges for providing books with 'obscene' or 'harmful' content to minors.

Safety Concerns in U.S. Libraries

Librarians across the U.S. are facing increased safety concerns and dangerous encounters due to the presence of homeless individuals, migrants, and those with drug addiction in libraries. The situation has led to verbal abuse, dangerous confrontations, and mental health crises, prompting the need for better training and support for library staff.