#FREADom

[aluhnim]

Imaging a World with You

A poster was created in collaboration with the School Library Journal and Children’s Book Council to support LGBTQIA+ children and teens. I was honored to make a piece in support of acceptance in literature, especially with how incredibly hostile folks have been to books in this, to quote Carl Lennertz, “era of intolerance and censorship”.

The poster is available for free download here.

[criticalgale]

From the website:

To kick off National Library Week last year, we issued a call to action for readers, advocates, and library lovers everywhere to stand up to censorship as part of a national day of action. We called it Right to Read Day, and thousands of you answered the call.

Let's do it again.

Over the last few years, censors have accelerated their attempts to remove or restrict books and programs in schools and public libraries. In 2023, the American Library Association documented efforts to censor 4,240 unique book titles in schools and public libraries, a stratospheric increase from 2022's previous record of 2,571 unique titles.

Organized pressure groups have used their power—and long lists of titles—to wage an aggressive campaign to empty library shelves of all books they deem inappropriate instead of allowing people to decide for themselves what they and their children read. These groups have redirected their aim from schools to public libraries, which saw a 92% increase in the number of titles challenged over the previous year. Nearly half of the titles impacted were by or about LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color.

On #RightToReadDay, Monday, April 8, we're asking you to take action and raise your voice for the right to read.

[tinyowlthoughts]

What the fuck Utah

I have a nephew who lives in Utah (not Mormon, nor conservative). He goes to a charter school. They aren't allowed anything that may be 'disruptive', and the conservative Christian staff use that to their advantage. My nephew wanted one - ONE - rainbow stick to put on his water bottle when I came out as gay. I gave him several, and he said he would have to put it on the bottom of the water bottle so none of the teachers saw the rainbow dinosaur (that was in no way exclusively LGBTQIA+ themed) and took it away.

So am I surprised by this development? No.

Am I mad?

People.

I am God. Damned.

FURIOUS.

This bullshit has got to stop. There is NO REASON to censor books a school, beyond reading level. By which I mean, don't have Lord of the Flies in an elementary school library. (The reading/comprehension level is likely too high for a majority of students to fully grasp.)

Books should cover a wide variety of topics for all student interests.

Books should encourage learning and exploring and challenge preconceived notions and ideas.

Books should be available to be used to illustrate complex topics that kids might have a hard time understanding, like death or illness or other upsetting topics.

Books should take kids away to worlds they can only imagine, and encourage them to question everything, from how ants carry so much weight to whether God exists.

Banning books in this manner is not only political over-reach that encourages censorship and is (likely, hopefully) unconstitutional, it is LAZY PARENTING.

You don't want your kid to read 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' because the character is rude? Fine. But you can't force another parent not to let their kid read it.

You don't think teens should have access to books about revolution, magic, exploring budding romance/sexuality, and standing against authority figures? Fine. But you can't force another parent to keep it out of their kids hands.

You think it's your way or the highway?

Try again bitch.

Sarah Maas is one of the most popular YA authors in the world.

Judy Blume is a national treasure who has given so many young people the words to express themselves through puberty and beyond.

Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake takes a crack at a pig-infested future and warns readers against blindly trusting big tech.

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana Arnold is a poignant look at what love means when you're only 16.

Ellen Hopkins approaches addiction and drug use from her own personal experiences with her daughter, offering readers a look into and a warning against drug use.

Rupi Kaur is a poet who's words are twists of silk that illustrate thriving against violence and abuse.

Craig Thompson's Blankets is a beautiful graphic novel that illustrates the way love and religion can clash, and how as one grows, they have to come to their own conclusions about both.

None of these books are dangerous.

None of these books are pornographic or obscene.

None of these books deserve to taken from the hands of readers.

And the only thing you've done, Utah, is piss off a world full of readers and prove that not only do your leaders no understand the dangers of censorship on this scale, but

you haven't even read the books.

[donnatroyprincessofthemyscira]

Art Credit to Al Abbaz

[phoenixlionme]

PLEASE DONATE, SPREAD THE WORD, AND/OR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP.

[hecatesdelights]

[theo-the-ghost]

So, what these images are saying is that books are scary?

Spooky season is upon us! To celebrate I put together a few designs promoting books and libraries. If you like them, feel free to use them! These are four of my poster designs! Again, these posters are absolutely free for you to print and use!

Schools and public libraries are under attack and need your support. They are facing quiet defunding, book bans, and acts of hate. Please consider contacting your local representative to ask that these institutions remain funded and protected, and show your support by stopping by your local library.

For additional Halloween freebies celebrating libraries and reading, click the link here!

If you would like to see more of my library/activism designs or would like to get these designs on a T-shirt, book bag, or sticker, you can visit my shop here.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

In honor of the U.S. Elections tomorrow, I'm forgoing #mememonday and urging people to vote. Please go out and vote, even if you think your vote doesn't matter. It does! Vote down the whole ballot, not just for the President.

(I found the picture on Pinterest but couldn't find the original artist)

[wednesdayshadow]

Ban book bans

[pridepages]

Book banning disproportionately impacts books by and about marginalized people. Oct 1-7, 2023 was Banned Books week, but supporting the fight for #freadom happens all year round!

[phoenixlionme]

God. These book banners are so FUCKING stupid.

[cybilsawards]

The morning RSS - Wednesday Edition

Not a lot to scroll, but some pretty important stuff for those who champion libraries and access to diverse titles for young audiences.

Mark your calendar: Survey opens 9.6.

Next: Schools and school districts in Florida, Michigan, and Texas are the Book Saves Lives grantees for 2023.

[lakecountylibrary]

Stay Informed: Library Legislation

Haaaave you heard about Indiana Freadom to Read? Probably not! It's a brand new tool from the Indiana Library Federation to help Hoosiers stay in the know about Indiana legislation concerning libraries.

And before you ask, no, there's nothing (new) to be alarmed about right now (right now being April 2024). Which makes it a good time to get on their mailing list - so you'll know ASAP if something does come up.

Emails should be infrequent (we hope we hope we hope). You can also follow them on their socials if that's more your thing.

People ask us all the time what they can do to support libraries. This is an easy step to take that'll help you stay informed!

[jumbledcardigan]

Public comment period has opened for proposed vague Missouri Book Ban Law

Comment period has opened for the proposed vague MO law that would allow anyone to challenge access to books and undermines the professional judgment of librarians.

Libraries that do not comply will lose funding, which will lead to their likely closure.

MO Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said he did not have a librarian or a library representative help with drafting the proposed rule. He said the policy was inspired by conversations he had across the state with Missourians and librarians about book challenges.Utterly appalling.

If you are a MO resident you have thirty days from Nov 15th to write or email to comment on this proposed law.  

Comments may be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office via email at comments@sos.mo.gov or by traditional mail to Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, P.O. Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Comments submitted via email must include “15 CSR 30-200.015” in the subject line https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/comment-period-opens-on-missouri-secretary-of-state-s-book-ban-proposal

[brandwhorestarscream]

There would be such a protect the baby if TFP bots saw TF1 OP. If shenanigans they ended up in the universe that would be nuts. TFP Optimus isthe 13th. They look at him, they look at the corpse that looks exactly like him,The high guard folowing him and Optimus "Freadom is theRight of all Sentient Beings-ing TF1 Sentinel's life.

Aksjdkska omg TFP Optimus Prime beating TF1's Sentinel's ass is not smthn I knew I needed til now

He shows up with an alternate dimension Matrix (is it's influence enough to get the energon flowing again??) and tears Sentinel down from his pedestal, exposing his secrets in front of everyone. TFP Optimus sees all these painfully young little bots, a good chunk of which have big gaping holes in their chests where their t-cogs have been removed, and promptly adopts every single baby in the vicinity. Orion Pax and D-16 are not exempt from this 🤭 don't worry babies, papa Optimus is here now, he'll purge all the quintessons from the planet and make sure everyone gets a healthy dinner tonight!

Orion is looking at him with awed stars in his eyes, while Dee is speechless and also blushing because wow... Orion as a 50 foot 50 y/o dilf 😳