The Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Committee, composed of Rhode Island teachers, school librarians, and public librarians, works annually to create a diverse list of nominated books using specific criteria. The committee is intentional in seeking books that affirm marginalized groups and champions stories and characters that reflect the lived experiences of Rhode Island youth as well as the larger world. The committee aims to provide an annual list of nominees that maintains diversity in race, gender, sexuality, family makeup, socioeconomic status, and ability. Nominee lists are thoughtfully curated with an anti-racist lens, to allow all youth to be seen and their voices actively heard. The Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Committee believes representation matters and strives to create mirrors, windows and prisms for all children.
EveryLibrary is the first and only national political action committee for libraries. It is a gold-rated non-profit organization that helps public, school, and college libraries secure new funding through tax and advisory referendum, bonds elections, negotiations with school boards, and advocacy at municipal, state, and federal levels. EveryLibrary also offers a wide range of tools and direct pro-bono support to help local campaigners fight back against book banning, censorship, and anti-library legislation in their community.
EveryLibrary PRO-BONO services include:
The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) encourages library workers and educators to amplify the "Report Censorship" message. Article III of the Library Bill of Rights states, “Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.” The information gathered from these reports helps OIF:
Stay on top of trends
Supply library workers crucial tools, resources, workshops, and programs
Compile the Top 10 Most Challenged Books list and trend reports for public awareness
Challenges, bans, or access issues can be reported using the form below. All personal and institutional information submitted via this form is kept confidential. For material challenges, book titles and reasons may be disclosed upon inquiry.Find tools for encouraging and support censorship reporting in the "Report Censorship" Toolkit.
Fight Censorship is an ALA created clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and library advocates in responding to and supporting others facing those challenges. Resources include:
Preparing for and Responding to Challenges
Working with the Public
Support for Library Workers and the Freedom to Read
Supporting Materials
Recording of February 23, 2022 webinar sponsored by The Reservior, the UofSC Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair. For more information, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/bakerlectures/the-reservoir-a-chronicle-for-collective-change.