Libraries
Education Funding
Opinion
Book Bans? My School Doesn’t Even Have a Library
Underfunding schools is its own censorship, writes one Philadelphia public school teacher. After all, they can’t ban books we don’t have.
Curriculum
How Social Media Is Shaping Book Ban Debates
Social media utilized to fight against censorship or help those trying to remove books from school libraries.
Professional Development
'Ambassadors of Hope': Why Past Leaders Lean on Their Fellow Honorees
Former Leaders To Learn From say they've relied on their fellow honorees for inspiration, support, and new insights during the pandemic.
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
Reinventing the School Librarian's Role: How a NYC Library Director Adapted to Change
When schools moved online at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians had to learn quickly new ways to support teachers and students.
States
Here's the Long List of Topics Republicans Want Banned From the Classroom
There are now 61 censorship bills proposed in 24 states. One legislator wants teachers to pay $10,000 for teaching "critical race theory."
Curriculum
Librarians Fight Back Against Efforts to Ban Books in Schools
Book defenders have employed a variety of strategies, including petition drives, protests, and direct pressure on school board members.
School & District Management
Q&A
School Libraries and Controversial Books: Tips From the Front Lines
A top school librarian explains how districts can prepare for possible challenges to student reading materials and build trust with parents.
Curriculum
A 'War on Books': Conservatives Push for Audits of School Libraries
After Texas banned critical race theory in schools, battles grew heated in the conservative suburbs surrounding the state's largest cities.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Assuaging Technology Fears
To the Editor:
After reading the article "COVID-19 & Remote Learning: How to Make It Work," ("Special Report: How We Go Back to School," July 22, 2020), it looks like school administrators are forgetting the library media specialist again. The article links to a document with six ways educators can help parents with remote learning next school year, but perhaps library media specialists could also provide guidance.
After reading the article "COVID-19 & Remote Learning: How to Make It Work," ("Special Report: How We Go Back to School," July 22, 2020), it looks like school administrators are forgetting the library media specialist again. The article links to a document with six ways educators can help parents with remote learning next school year, but perhaps library media specialists could also provide guidance.
Reading & Literacy
As COVID-19 Budget Cuts Loom, Relevance of School Librarians Put to the Test
From California to Pennsylvania, school librarians are on edge as district and school leaders across the country seek ways to cut back expenses amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Reading & Literacy
Teachers Push for Books With More Diversity, Fewer Stereotypes
As schools add more books with main characters of color to their shelves, some teachers are going a step further and examining whether those narratives can reinforce biases.
Social Studies
Photos
Teachers Show off their #BlackHistoryBookShelf “Shelfies”
For Black History Month, teachers and librarians send in pictures of the books and resources they use to celebrate the month.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
4 Steps to a Magnificent Classroom Library
Teachers need to look closely at the range of reading levels, experiences, and genres represented in their classroom libraries.
School & District Management
From Our Research Center
Schools See Steep Drop in Librarians, New Analysis Finds
Nationwide, schools have lost 20 percent of their librarians and media specialists in the past 15 years. Here's why that could hamstring district literacy efforts.