Banned Books /tags/banned-books Banned Books en-US Copyright © 2024 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT Open spot to determine future of Metro East library board embroiled in culture wars /government-politics-issues/2025-01-21/metro-east-library-board-replacement-embroiled-culture-wars The Mississippi Valley Library District board of trustees currently has a 3-3 ideological split. Finding a replacement for a vacant board spot just a couple of months before the election could swing the board away from a conservative majority. Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2025-01-21/metro-east-library-board-replacement-embroiled-culture-wars Will Bauer Francis Howell school board lifts ban on hate speech, false claims in educational materials /education/2024-09-20/francis-howell-school-board-lifts-ban-on-hate-speech-false-claims-in-educational-materials The school board voted 5-2 in favor of the policy to allow hate speech, false science and false historical claims if a book is “educationally suitable.” But books will still be banned for containing drug use, descriptions of crime and sexual conduct. Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:01:00 GMT /education/2024-09-20/francis-howell-school-board-lifts-ban-on-hate-speech-false-claims-in-educational-materials Lauren Brennecke Francis Howell school board may allow hate speech, false information in school materials /education/2024-09-19/francis-howell-school-board-may-allow-hate-speech-false-information-in-school-materials If the policy amendment passes, "hate speech, false science, and false historical claims” would be allowed in educational materials — but books would still be banned for containing drug use, descriptions of crime and sexual conduct. Thu, 19 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT /education/2024-09-19/francis-howell-school-board-may-allow-hate-speech-false-information-in-school-materials Lauren Brennecke Francis Howell school board will restrict books, conversation about gender identity /education/2024-08-19/francis-howell-school-board-will-restrict-books-conversation-about-gender-identity The new policy bans books that include excessive violence, drug use and sexual content. Another measure aims to keep students and teachers from talking about gender identity in the classroom. Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT /education/2024-08-19/francis-howell-school-board-will-restrict-books-conversation-about-gender-identity Lauren Brennecke Francis Howell School Board again tables vote on bathroom measure for trans students /education/2024-08-15/francis-howell-school-board-bathroom-trans-students-book-bans Opponents of the policies are threatening legal action if the board passes measures requiring students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match the sex on their birth certificates. Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:05:00 GMT /education/2024-08-15/francis-howell-school-board-bathroom-trans-students-book-bans Lauren Brennecke What are some of the new Illinois laws taking effect in 2024? /government-politics-issues/2023-12-30/new-illinois-laws-taking-effect-2024 More than 300 Illinois far-ranging statutes will become laws in the new year, including prohibitions on book bans and enshrining the right to sue for "deepfake porn." Sat, 30 Dec 2023 12:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-12-30/new-illinois-laws-taking-effect-2024 Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams, Jerry Nowicki Two years of efforts to ban books are taking a toll on school librarians /education/2023-12-15/two-years-of-efforts-to-ban-books-are-taking-a-toll-on-school-librarians The efforts to remove books from school libraries started with parents in local school districts and eventually led to state legislatures. After two years of controversy, one school librarian says her colleagues are leaving the profession because it has become too painful. Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /education/2023-12-15/two-years-of-efforts-to-ban-books-are-taking-a-toll-on-school-librarians Kate Grumke Metro East library district approves 8% tax levy — a compromise for some concerned patrons /government-politics-issues/2023-11-21/metro-east-library-district-approves-8-tax-levy-a-compromise-for-some-concerned-patrons For the median homeowner in Collinsville, whose home is worth $182,000, there will be an estimated increase of $9.38 in property taxes next spring. In Fairmont City, where the median home is worth $100,000, there will be an increase of $4.95, according to district documents. Tue, 21 Nov 2023 06:09:52 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-11-21/metro-east-library-district-approves-8-tax-levy-a-compromise-for-some-concerned-patrons Will Bauer Missouri had the 3rd-highest number of school book bans in the U.S., new report finds /2023-09-21/school-book-bans-continue-to-rise-in-missouri-new-report-finds The number of bans and restrictions in the U.S. rose 33% in the last school year, according the report from free speech group PEN America. Florida had more bans than any other state, followed by Texas and Missouri. Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:24:04 GMT /2023-09-21/school-book-bans-continue-to-rise-in-missouri-new-report-finds Tovia Smith Giannoulias testifies against book bans and restrictions in U.S. Senate committee /government-politics-issues/2023-09-15/giannoulias-testifies-against-book-bans-and-restrictions-in-u-s-senate-committee Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias told the U.S. Senate panel that public libraries have become “thunderdomes of controversy and strife” across the country. Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-09-15/giannoulias-testifies-against-book-bans-and-restrictions-in-u-s-senate-committee Jennifer Fuller