school libraries

Banned Books Week has begun, the annual American Library Association initiative highlighting attempts to remove or restrict books in schools and libraries. Librarians, authors and readers are sharing challenged titles and free-expression advocacy throughout the week, with debates over book removals in US school districts continuing to draw national attention.

The Federal Communications Commission is considering changes to, or possibly ending, the E-Rate program, which provides discounted internet access to schools and libraries across the United States. The proposal has drawn attention because the program has long helped low-income students and communities get online, and its rollback could affect internet access for millions. Supporters of the program are expected to push back against any elimination.

President Trump has championed artificial intelligence in American classrooms, but his Federal Communications Commission is weighing whether to end the E-Rate program, the subsidies that fund internet access for schools and libraries. The potential clash between promoting AI-driven education and cutting the connectivity that makes it possible has drawn wide media attention across US outlets.

Author Abdi Nazemian, whose books have faced bans, spoke at the University of Utah about empathy. Nazemian, known for young adult novels that have been targeted in school censorship efforts, addressed students as debates over banned books continue across the United States. His appearance highlights growing attention to challenged authors and the role of literature in fostering understanding.

Banned Books Week is drawing attention to Huntington Beach, California, where a writer has published an account of local censorship news under the headline 'Surf City Censorship'. Readers are sharing the piece and discussing library book removals in the city. Banned Books Week, an annual awareness campaign, has prompted renewed conversation about challenges to books in public and school libraries.

Edward R. Ricciuti's 1994 children's book 'What on Earth Is a Pangolin?' is being highlighted as a banned book, drawing attention to ongoing censorship of educational titles. Commenters sharing the listing invoke hashtags around censorship, intellectual freedom and the right to read. The animal-focused nature book joins a growing list of children's and science titles facing challenges in schools and libraries.

School librarians in Texas are increasingly reluctant to recommend or discuss certain books as the state continues efforts to restrict titles deemed inappropriate. The ongoing political battles over library content have created a climate of caution, with educators worried about potential complaints or professional consequences, prompting some to limit book talk and displays.

Ahead of the 2026 elections, WKAR Public Media is explaining how millages, the property tax rates used to fund local services such as schools, libraries and public safety, are calculated and appear on ballots. The explainer breaks down what a mill represents and how proposed millage rates translate into costs for homeowners, as voters in Michigan and elsewhere prepare to decide local tax measures.