You Can’t Read That! is a periodic post about book banning and censorship. YCRT! features news and opinion roundups, commentary, history, and reviews.
YCRT! News Roundup
Followup to the story/photo above:
A Report on the February 2026 Rutherford County Library Board Meeting (In Decent Libraries of Rutherford County TN)
The Rutherford County Library System’s board of directors voted to accept the library director’s recommendation to retain 2,712 children’s books that were up for reconsideration at its February 2 meeting, but it promised to reconsider some titles from the list at a future meeting.
Elsewhere in the USA:
Rep. Mace Sends Letter Accusing CCPL of Having Lewd Material in ‘Reach of Children’ (mytvcharleston.com)
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace on Monday announced that she sent a letter to the Institute of Museum and Library Services demanding that it pause any federal funding the Charleston County Public Library receives.
Fairhope Library Stands Firm, Fears Deeper Censorship if Books Are Moved (All Alabama — partially paywalled)
Fairhope library board members expressed unanimous opposition Monday to relocating the 10 books at the center of a dispute that has halted their state funding and drawn national attention.
Mat-Su Assembly Member Drops Library Content Ban Proposal After Community Pushback (Mat-Su Sentinel)
A controversial Mat-Su Borough proposal that would have removed library materials depicting sexual acts and blocked their future purchase will no longer go before the assembly following significant public opposition.
Hillsborough to Protect School Librarians, Books from Banishment Despite Pushback (Hillsborough NJ Patch)
The Hillsborough School District is standing with its librarians to protect them and its library materials from being banned in its public school libraries.
Texas Education Board Delays Vote on Reading List Including Bible Passages (Fox 7 Austin TX)
That meeting, which lasted nearly 10 hours, heard opinions and arguments from Texas teachers, former educators, current students in the public school system, and leaders in state education. The majority of those who attended the meeting spoke in opposition to the proposal.
Mississippi Court Reinstates Educator Fired over Book Reading (WJTV Jackson MS)
The Mississippi Court of Appeals reversed the judgments of the Hinds County Chancery Court and Hinds County School Board after an educator was fired for reading a children’s book called “I Need a New Butt!”
Author Kurt Vonnegut’s Estate Files Lawsuit to Challenge Utah Book Ban Law (NPR audio link)
The estate of Kurt Vonnegut joined a lawsuit against banning his most famous book. “Slaughterhouse-Five” is about a World War II veteran like Vonnegut himself.
First Amendment Concerns over Book Removals in Florida School Libraries (National Coalition Against Censorship)
Removing books solely because of disagreement with their viewpoints violates the First Amendment, as does restricting access based on vague or overly broad content categories. A recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida affirmed these principles, finding key provisions of HB 1069 unconstitutional and confirming that the decision applies to school districts’ book removal practices.
She Fought a Book Ban. She May Never Teach Again. (New York Times gift link)
Without a license, she cannot teach public school in Oklahoma. The revocation also makes it difficult for her to become certified in other states, in part because it’s a punishment generally used in egregious cases like child abuse or fraud.
Meanwhile, in Canada:
London High School Library’s 10,000-Book Cull Sparks Censorship Debate (The London Free Press, Ontario)
Larry Farquharson, who eventually resigned after 25 years of teaching at the age of 58, says the situation began last January when Thames Valley District school board staff trashed thousands of books that he said they argued posed “harm” to students, weren’t inclusive or were deemed too old, among other reasons.
Dozens of Books from London High School’s Library Found at Thrift Store (The London Free Press, Ontario)
The Free Press asked the Thames Valley school board how the books, processed by Value Village on Jan. 8 and 9, according to their stickers, ended up on the shelves of a secondhand store. Board officials said they would be unable to offer an immediate answer.
Parents Raise Concerns over ‘Inappropriate’ Book at Sooke Library (Oak Bay News, British Columbia)
For one mother of two, who spoke to the Sooke News Mirror anonymously, the issue with the book is its “inappropriate” illustrations and mature subject matter. The book contains cartoon illustrations depicting nudity, child birth and intercourse.
Book Ban Lists from Edmonton, Calgary School Districts Released (xtramagazine.com, Alberta)
The call for book removal came after Premier Danielle Smith’s Alberta government introduced new policies last year, mandating what kinds of books can be on the shelves of Alberta schools. Under the policy, school districts are required to ban “any explicit visual depiction of a sexual act” from their school libraries. The policy came about following advocacy from several far-right social conservative groups.
YCRT! Public Service Announcements
‘The Librarians’ to Premiere on PBS ‘Independent Lens’ as Political Backlash Mounts Against Book Banning (deadline.com)
The Librarians is set to premiere on PBS this Monday, Feb 9. The film, executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, will air on Independent Lens, the long-running public television series presented by ITVS. It examines the coordinated effort by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty to ban a wide range of books at public schools and public libraries nationwide, and the abuse librarians have received for defending the right of children to access reading material, including books with anti-racist or LGBTQ themes. Some right-wing ideologues have gone so far as to accuse librarians of “grooming” kids.
Right-wing boilerplate reaction to ‘The Librarians’:
Shame on PBS: ‘The Librarians’ Is One Big Lie to Parents and Kids (The Hill)
Viewers are led to believe that schools and libraries are being targeted by hardline conservatives, determined to censor content they find too critical of the “manosphere” or the Heritage Foundation or President Trump himself. As Kim Snyder’s film puts it, librarians are “first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights,” with the support of the American Library Association.
A Guide to Championing Your School Library (American Library Association)
Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “Championing Your School Library: A Practical Guide to Advocacy, Marketing and Promotion” is a comprehensive resource of practical strategies that will enable readers to demonstrate the value of their school library, particularly through building relationships with key stakeholders and the wider community.