Features

How You Can Fight Censorship: Resources for Teachers and Librarians

An introduction from Becky Calzada, President of the American Association of School Librarians, and resources for teachers and librarians in the fight against book bans.

How You Can Fight Censorship: Resources for Teachers and Librarians

This resource is a part of a collection about combating book bans. See more of what we’re doing and learn how you can help here.

Jump to resources.

Becky Calzada is the 2024-25 President of the American Association of School Librarians. She is a co-founding member of #FReadom Fighters, a recipient of the ALA’s Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award, the American Association of School Librarians’ Intellectual Freedom Award, and the Texas Library Association’s Libraries Change Communities Award. Becky is a cadre member of the ALA Policy Corp Proactive Advocacy on Book Banning, a member of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee, on the Legislative Committee for the Texas Library Association, and a Past Chair of the Texas Association of School Librarians, and former District Library Coordinator in Leander, Texas. She was honored by People Magazine in their 2023 Women Changing the World portfolio.

Intellectual freedom is a core, foundational belief in our library profession, so it is imperative librarians stay engaged whether they are in the throes of censorship attempts or not. As a school district library coordinator, I have found proactive preparedness is key. This can be done by doing the following:

  • Reviewing and becoming familiar with your collection development policy
  • Keeping a copy of your collection policy on hand to share and build understanding as you communicate with others
  • Providing training for your team to discuss processes and practice scenarios
  • If you work at a school, partner with your campus principal to come up with a plan of action so you are both prepared
  • Building transparency and trust with your community by posting your collection development policy and sharing your book purchase processes
  • Creating a FAQ document for administrators and families to answer questions that frequently arise

Should you be in the throes of a censorship attempt, be sure to report it to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom so that data can be collected with privacy maintained. If you are unsure of what steps to take, you can also reach out to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom for guidance and support on policy and procedure questions you have.

Intellectual Freedom is every reader’s right and it’s through reading that we can have an informed and engaged democracy. Books also offer readers the opportunity to learn about themselves, learn about others, and learn about the world they live in. Proactive planning and preparation allow you to be challenge-ready in order for ALL readers to have this opportunity in their libraries.

—Becky Calzada

Here are some resources we recommend in fighting censorship. Follow the prompts for inspiration: 


“I Want To Learn More About the Issue” 


“I’m Looking for Resources To Help Advocate for Myself and My Students” 

  • Explore Book Resumes – resources to justify keeping frequently challenged titles on shelves  


“I Want To Report Book Challenges / Bans” 


“I Want To Join the Fight Against Censorship”