Sanctuary Libraries
In September 2022, the Chicago Public Library declared itself a “sanctuary for endangered stories,” i.e., dedicated to establishing “Book Sanctuaries.” Following Chicago’s lead, in January 2023, Stamford, Connecticut became the state’s first sanctuary library. Surely, these developments in Chicago and…
Censorship in Iowa
On May 26, 2023, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed S.F. 496, codifying draconian censorship into law. Now, Iowans face state-sanctioned censorship in schools, and the risks cannot be overstated. The Human Rights Campaign calls S.F. 496 Iowa’s version of “Don’t…
Banning Book Bans in Illinois
I’m writing with refreshingly good news: Illinois is poised to become the first state to end book bans. In the wake of an increasing onslaught of censorship aimed at institutions like schools and libraries – including a record 1,200 challenges…
