Welcome to Check Your Shelf. I don’t know about you all, but Daylight Savings Time is kicking my butt this week. I greatly appreciate the extra daylight later in the day, but the disruption to my sleep is no bueno. I’m staying up too late because it doesn’t feel like it’s time to go to bed, and I’m waking up too early because what do you mean my alarm just went off?? Hopefully I’ll be more accustomed by this time next week, but in the meantime, my caffeine intake is going wayyy up.
Libraries & Librarians
News Updates
The Seattle council floats the idea of using a public library building as an emergency homeless shelter when the building is not otherwise in use.
San Jose libraries request an additional $2 million in funding in order to return to pre-pandemic service levels.
Cool Library Updates
Abbott Elementary and ABC partner with Scholastic to provide free book fairs at underfunded schools.
The Lillian Goldman Law Library launches a book-to-prison project.
Libraries get strategic about chess.
Worth Reading
How to spot disinformation and propaganda coming out of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The NYPL put together a resource guide to credible organizations providing aid in Ukraine.
A look at the recent increase in libraries hiring social workers as mental health issues and housing crises soar.
A response to the recent NYT op-ed, “The Battle for the Soul of the Library,” which challenges the idea that libraries are inherently neutral.
3 tips to thoughtfully address world events with your library promotions.
“Nothing was stolen.” New Zealanders carry on borrowing from a closed, unstaffed library.
Book Adaptations in the News
Not exactly adaptation news, but Cinedigm has picked up North American rights for the documentary Pennywise: The Story of IT, and let me just say I have never been so damn excited for a documentary in my life!
Netflix will premiere five new animated series based on Dr. Seuss books.
Netflix cancels The Baby-Sitters Club after two seasons.
The first official trailer for Bridgerton Season 2 has been released.
Here’s a preview for the HBO show Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart, based on Brown’s book by the same name.
When will Hollywood discover Georgette Heyer?
Banned & Challenged Books
Penguin Random House has launched a Banned Books Hub on their website.
Library Journal has a list of resources for libraries facing book challenges.
High schools could lose AP classes if they’re banned from teaching certain required topics.
An assistant principal in Mississippi was fired for reading I Need a New Butt! to a second grade classroom. And here’s the kicker…no parents ever complained about the book.
The New York State Education Department ran a tweet featuring New York State Librarian Lauren Moore promoting Gender Queer, then silently deleted the tweet after receiving pushback. So why didn’t the NY State Education Department defend its state librarian?
Yorktown (NY) is evaluating nine books in its school libraries that were recently challenged, including Lawn Boy, Out of Darkness, Gender Queer, and The Bluest Eye.
Auburn (NY) elects to keep All Boys Aren’t Blue in the high school library.
A group of Lower Township, NJ parents is pushing to remove Black and White by Paul Volponi from the school library. As a side note, I hate that the featured photo for this article is a smiling photo of all the parents (and their children) who are pushing to have the book removed.
A former Missouri teacher is helping to lead a coalition that’s pushing back on local book bans.
A Savannah (GA) English teacher created a Little Free Library filled with banned books.
Hudson City School District (OH) elects to keep Gender Queer on its high school library shelves.
Book bans accelerate in Ohio as a new bill aims to prohibit “controversial” topics.
A new bill headed to the Utah governor’s desk would ban “indecent materials in schools, including books and teaching materials deemed as pornographic.” (Although I haven’t read the bill, I’m going to take a guess and say that the definition of what is considered “pornographic” under the terms of this bill is pretty wide.)
Idaho’s book ban bill will likely not be heard in the Senate.
Indiana legislators abandon a bill that would prohibit “harmful” library materials.
How New Hampshire librarians are preparing to respond to a recent uptick in book challenges.
Here’s a resource for Texas voters: The Book-Loving Texan’s Guide to May 7th School Board Elections. (And if you’re not in Texas, you can still use this as a resource for donating or advocating.)
Bolstered by critical race theory protests and book challenges, conservative PACs aim to “take back” Texas school boards.
The Llano County Library Advisory Board (TX) has closed its meetings to the public. Meanwhile, an anti-censorship group has formed to oppose the board.
A request to ban the documentary of a gay man from Lafayette (LA) libraries will be heard at a public meeting.
Book banning discussed at a recent Edmond Public School (OK) meeting.
Library book bans were discussed recently at a Brevard (FL) School Board meeting.
The Williamson County School Board (TN) policy committee discusses its book removal and reconsideration policy.
“This is not progress:” Memphis students oppose bills banning “obscene” and LGBTQ books.
The Dedham Public Library (MA) refuted a claim on social media that the library had removed diverse books from its children’s section.
A Little Free Library offering LGBTQ+ books in Waltham, Massachusetts has had its entire stock removed three times in a month. This is happening alongside an ongoing debate of whether or not LGBTQ+ books should be removed from the Waltham School District, and they believe the two issues are related.
The Peoria (IL) Public Library tackles controversial issues and banned books in a new book club for youths.
The Leavenworth (KS) School District has responded to comments made by a former board member, who said that the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian was inappropriate for high schoolers because it mentions masturbation.
Another Kansas school district has removed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian from the high school curriculum after receiving an anonymous complaint from a grandparent.
A Kansas high school English teacher who was fired for using the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower in her class, read the following pointed statement at a board meeting.
The Wake County (NC) School Board upholds the Cary High School decision to keep Lawn Boy on library shelves.
An Arizona bill gives parents the ability to review books purchased for school libraries.
The Ely School Board (MN) appointed a new board member who had previously pushed for the removal of the book I Am Still Here: Black Dignity In a World Made for Whiteness from the high school curriculum.
The Worcester County Public School District (MD) is reviewing All Boys Aren’t Blue after receiving two complaints from community members.
The Hempfield Area School District (PA) is reviewing its book reevaluation process after a local high school “paused” its use of Persepolis in response to parental complaints.
The Keystone School District in Pennsylvania has been asked to remove 17 books from their library.
Hanover (VA) students and residents speak out after the school board voted to allow a faith-based legal organization to weigh in on its equal educational opportunities policy.
Book bans and antisemitism go hand in hand.
Books & Authors in the News
The Ukrainian children’s book Maya and Her Friends is being published in the UK as a charity fundraiser.
After being called out for ableist language and tropes in her most recent book blurb, author Cora Reilly has chosen to postpone her book’s publication.
George R.R. Martin gives updates on his GoT projects, including Winds of Winter.
Numbers & Trends
The effect of the Book of the Month Club on book sales.
The best books, according to Reddit.
Award News
Zadie Smith has been chosen for the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award! Previous recipients include Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, and Stephen Sondheim.
The International Booker Prize longlist has been announced.
The 2022 Lambda Literary Award finalists have been announced.
Bookish Curiosities & Miscellaneous
Reese Witherspoon partners with SIMI Winery to create a new rosé inspired by her book club. (And it goes well with snacks, too!)
On the Riot
Exploring automated library vending machines.
The life cycle of a library book.
Bookish newsletters are a throwback to book blogging.
How books helped this parent figure out how their child learns.
On unlearning to read compulsively.
Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!
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Have a cat photo! This is one of my favorite pictures of Gilbert. If he’s not being snuggled enough, he will let you know. Loudly.
Well friends, another weekend is upon us. Hopefully the weather is improving where you live. (It is in Chicago-land!) See you next week!
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.