With the 2025-26 school year in full swing, I am seeing an increase in distressing posts from librarians about the effects of the overwhelming number of harmful laws and policies passed by state legislatures and school districts that negatively impact school libraries, librarians and the students we teach. Promoted as bills/policies to keep children safe or as parental rights, the only impact so far has been a decrease in access to books, a decrease in library funding, a decrease in parental rights and an increase in fear of possible criminal charges among librarians for simply encouraging students to read. I have heard horror stories of librarians not being able to purchase books for their libraries until December to be in compliance with public preview periods and creation of library advisory councils. I have heard of extreme interpretations of anti-DEI laws that are incorrectly being applied to school and classroom libraries. The tough news can become overwhelming at times. 

Is there a positive to any of these new developments? There IS! I have seen recordings of school board meetings in which board members, armed with complete details of current policies already safeguarding parents’ rights and students’ access to books, are pushing back against the overreach some are requesting. I have seen parents come together to create email campaigns to school district administrators, school board members and other elected officials underscoring the faith they have in their campus librarian to provide access to books for their communities. I have seen students speak out highlighting the power of having a school library and a dedicated librarian who is able to guide them to the reading materials they need. This broad support I am seeing from the groups mentioned cover the gamut of large districts to smaller ones, rural to urban, “red to “blue” and the “purple” ones in between. 

As I have reflected on what I have been seeing, hearing and experiencing I have noticed people, parents, elected officials WANT to do the right thing and many times DO the right thing once they have a full understanding of the bills and policies and the impact they could have on students’ access to books. Is this always the case? Sadly, no, but it is becoming more so. We need to help our decision makers find allies and help them recognize the loudest voices many times do not reflect the majority. There are numerous surveys, like the 2023 survey conducted by the EveryLibrary Institute, that show the overwhelming majority of parents trust librarians.

If you find yourself in a situation in which access to books is in extreme danger, it’s time to start making a plan. Is there a friendly ear on the school board who can listen to your concerns and ask the right questions? Is there a supportive parent or parent group who would be willing to speak out on your behalf? How can you prepare materials for a non-librarian audience to help decision makers understand the processes already in place that secure parents’ rights but also protects your students’ access to library materials?

 

Librarians have been ringing the alarm on the increase of censorship in our libraries for years. It is time to activate our allies to amplify those concerns.