Summary

Scrutiny of libraries, books and teaching materials has become a central issue for conservative politicians around the nation. In Louisiana, the fight over banning books is escalating and targeting librarians as conservative Christian groups are working to take over the boards of public libraries. New Orleans Communities Correspondent Roby Chavez joined Geoff Bennett to discuss. For a transcript of this story, click here . News wrap alternative : Check out the latest segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching! You can make a Google doc copy of our Five Facts and discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Five Facts

• Who are some of the people interviewed in this story, and what are their backgrounds?


• Where are some of the places that librarians feel threatened?


• Why are some groups trying to get books removed from local libraries?


• W hat sort of books make up over 40% of proposed bans, according to the organization PEN America?


• How much have book challenges increased since 2017?

Focus Questions

Why do you think efforts to remove books from libraries and confront librarians and school board members have increased in the past few years? Media literacy : Why do you think Louisiana is the focus of this story if similar things are happening in other states? Alternative : See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

For More

What students can do: Find out what is happening in your community and state. See if as a class you can find the following information:

• Who makes decisions about what books are included in your school library and local public library?


• Has any legislation been passed or proposed at the state level to remove books from schools or libraries?

You can also read more on the most commonly banned books, as well as the ways books are challenged, from a list developed by the American Library Association . You can also find more information about book bans by state from PEN America here .

Student Video of the Day: "Student activists overturn book ban in Pennsylvania school district" via Student Reporting Labs

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