OIF Releases Additional Reports on Censorship in 2025
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has released two reports providing additional detailed insights from 2025, the year with the highest level of library censorship ever documented in the U.S. One report focuses on censorship activities that took place at public libraries, and the other examines censorship at school libraries.
PRH v. Robbins & Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds
On April 6, 2026, the Eighth Circuit issued its decision in Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds and in PRH v. Robbins, two cases challenging SF 496, an Iowa law that requires the removal of books containing “descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act” from public school libraries and that imposes penalties on educators who do not comply.
Banned Books Week 2026 Artwork Unveiled
The American Library Association (ALA) and Banned Books Week Coalition today unveiled the artwork for Banned Books Week 2026, October 4–10. Designed for use in Banned Books Week events nationwide and internationally, the 2026 theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The struggle against book bans is too immense to capture in a single image. This year’s Banned Books Week campaign features three illustrations showing how libraries and access to information enrich our lives.
Lies About Libraries (Part Three)
Welcome to the third in a series of posts dedicated to debunking false claims used to undermine trust in libraries and attack those who work in them.
What now? Libraries after LITTLE V. LLANO COUNTY
In December 2025, the Supreme Court declined to review a Fifth Circuit Court case about whether the government can remove books from a public library’s shelves. This guide provides an overview of the case and explains what it says about the right to read in libraries.
What Mahmoud v. Taylor Means for Your Library
In June 2025, the Supreme Court decided Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case about whether parents have the right to opt their children out of storybooks read in a public school’s language arts curriculum. The decision only affirms a parent’s right to opt their child out of lessons in classrooms, not to decide what books their children will be able to find in the library. Even though this decision does not apply to materials in school libraries, some are using the Court’s decision to push their censorship agendas.
Libraries and Immigration Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the law enforcement division of the Department for Homeland Security (DHS). ICE must operate in accordance with the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the laws of the United States.
Intellectual Freedom News 8/14/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
Intellectual Freedom News 8/7/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
Intellectual Freedom News 7/17/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
Intellectual Freedom News 7/10/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
Intellectual Freedom News 6/30/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
Intellectual Freedom News 6/18/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
Your Guide to Intellectual Freedom, Privacy, and Advocacy at ALA Annual 2026
Welcome to your guide to intellectual freedom and privacy at ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2025, June 25 – 29! With unceasing censorship attempts in our communities and legislative attacks from the federal level on down, this year’s conference lineup includes sessions and meetings that tackle these critical issues.
Intellectual Freedom News 6/12/2026
ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.