{"id":85675,"date":"2021-12-15T15:15:54","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T20:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncac.org\/?page_id=85675"},"modified":"2025-01-31T12:51:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T17:51:37","slug":"book-challenge-resource-center","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ncac.org\/resource\/book-challenge-resource-center","title":{"rendered":"Book Challenge Resource Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is school book censorship?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The books taught in schools, and available in school libraries, should be chosen by professionals based on criteria that are as objective as possible, including the books’ educational, pedagogical, literary and artistic values. When books are kept from students, whether they are removed from classroom teaching, taken off library shelves (or put into restricted circulation) or explicitly banned from schools, because of the personal or political beliefs of any person or group, rather than because of professional educational reasoning, that’s censorship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Policies already exist in most districts to allow individual concerned parents to influence what their own children read. However, we have seen those policies ignored and repeatedly violated as books are removed without proper review based on the personal opinions of particular groups of people. We have also seen increasing reports of threats to the livelihoods and safety of librarians, teachers, school administrators and school board officials who do not accede to the demands of these would-be censors. No individual or group has the right to impose their beliefs on others. School officials, as government actors, have a First Amendment responsibility to ensure that no particular viewpoint or belief is allowed to dictate what students can learn and read.<\/p>\n

This page contains resources to help you advocate for yourself, for your children, for your books, for your schools, in your own communities. Resources will be added and updated as they become available.<\/p>\n

One of the best ways to fight censorship is to call it out as it happens.<\/strong> Not sure if it’s censorship? We can help with that, too!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Report Censorship Here<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
View Censorship Database<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Read Statement on Attacks on Books<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

*Note: your report will be kept confidential.<\/p>\n

Guides<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"Educator<\/a><\/span><\/div>

Educator Handbook<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Kids'<\/a><\/span><\/div>

A Guide for Students and Parents<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Defend<\/a><\/span><\/div>

Guide to Defending LGBTQ Stories<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Be<\/a><\/span><\/div>

Student Protest Rights in Schools<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Explore NCAC’s full resource library<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Advocate for Books<\/h2>\n

1. Do your research<\/h3>\n

Know the Policies<\/strong>
\nYour school district almost certainly has policies on how books are chosen (aka “materials selection”) and what should happen when books are challenged. They are likely published on your school board’s website, but you can also request them from your school. First order of business: Read the policy! Strong book review policies ensure that the process allows all perspectives to be heard, while respecting the rights of students. Book challenges are often highly contentious and emotional, and the regulations should ensure that all parties feel that they have been heard and respected, and also to ensure that decisions are made based on objective criteria which focus on the needs of students.<\/p>\n