Northwoods UU Issues Resource Links: CENSORSHIP


PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOK CENSORSHIP


Adult Forum: Real Steps to Take to Fight Book Bans [September 1, 2024
PUBLIC LIBRARY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County Memorial Library System
  • Librarians Under Siege in Montgomery County?
    Faith Bugenhagen, Houston Press | May 8, 2024 4:00AM |
    Houston Press: Houston's independent source of local news and culture

  • Montgomery County directs citizen board to review, and potentially remove, library books The county north of Houston adopted the guidelines amid a growing number of book bans in school districts and a new state law that supporters claim protects children from inappropriate material.
    By William Melhado, Texas Tribune | March 26, 2024 9 PM Central |


    PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN HARRIS COUNTY
    Harris County Public Library

  • Harris County Commits to Protecting the Freedom to Read Commissioners Court passes resolution making Harris County Public Library a Book Sanctuary
    HCPL Web site | September 26, 2023 |

  • HCPL Freedom To Read Resolution

  • Harris County Public Library Deselection Policy EXCERPT:
    Materials will not be removed from the collection because of the personal views or beliefs of the staff or customers. Those with concerns regarding materials in the library's collection may complete the Request for Reconsideration of Materials Form as described in the Collection Policy.
    Houston Public Library
  • Houston Public Library: E. Reconsideration of Library Materials The Library will review selection of a specific item upon request of a member of the community. The form "Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials" is available upon request at your local Houston Public Library location. Your request will be reviewed in light of the Library's established selection policies. A reply will be sent promptly to the person or organization making the request once administrative action has been taken.


    Community Library not funded by government
    The Woodlands Community Pride Library
  • The Woodlands Pride Will Open A Community Library Featuring LGBTQ & Other Narratives
    Faith Bugenhagen, Houston Press | June 25, 2024 5:00AM |
    EXCERPT:
    "Although the library will not be staffed or operated by Village Books, owner Teresa Kenney will host a wishlist of titles that residents can purchase for the library."
    SEE Justice Forum: Defending First Amendment Rights in the Woodlands: Then and Now [August 25, 2024]

    LINKS FOUND BY PRESENTERS / PEOPLE IN GARDEN ROOM

  • Book bans a form of political action rather than censorship and mainly targeting women of color say CU researchers
    By Jenny Brundin, Colorado Public Radio | July 3, 2024, 4:00 am |

  • Study reveals 'unsettling' trends in books banned across the US A CU Ph.D. student was part of a research team that found concerning trends in books banned by local school districts across the country.
    By Bryan Wendland, Channel 9 News | Published: 7:16 PM MDT July 17, 2024 Updated: 7:16 PM MDT July 17, 2024 |

    People in the SEE Justice meeting were talking about "Stand Up". Previously, nearby school districts Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD had been mentioned. (See also Fort Bend ISD.)

  • STAND UP FOR KATY ISD: ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION [Facebook Group]

    About Stand Up for Katy ISD:
    A group of parents, students, educators, and community members dedicated to looking out for Katy ISD public schools. We are nonpartisan and seek to learn and promote best practices and policies for our students and educators.

    Our mission is to share news about Katy ISD board meetings, Texas education policies, and how they affect public education in our school district. While some topics may touch on politics, our central goal is protecting the education and welfare of ALL our Katy ISD students and looking out for the educators we entrust with teaching them.

    We are not an official page of Katy ISD.

  • TX HB900 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature
    Texas House Bill 900
    Status: Completed Legislative Action
    Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 67-1)
    Status: Passed on June 13 2023 - 100% progression
    Action: 2023-06-13 - Effective on 9/1/23
    Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled)

    Summary
    Relating to the regulation of library materials sold to or included in public school libraries.
    BILL TEXT:
    AN ACT relating to the regulation of library materials sold to or included in public school libraries.
    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources (READER) Act.


    ADDITIONAL MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
    CONROE ISD
  • The Mama Bears of Montgomery County, Texas In 2022, three conservative Christian women with no prior political experience were elected to a school board. Are they part of a larger movement to undermine public education?
    By Yasmeen Khan, The Nation | March 22, 2024 |
    EXCERPT FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:
    "In November 2022, Misty Odenweller, Melissa Dungan, and Tiffany Baumann Nelson were elected to the district's school board. The three women—who called themselves the "Mama Bears"...."

  • Mama Bears Rising Facebook Group

  • Conroe ISD official Board of Trustees page


  • Conroe ISD may change policy that has resulted in dozens of books banned from classrooms, libraries
    By Catherine Dominguez, Houston Chronicle Staff writer | August 22, 2024 |
    [Catherine Dominguez is a Houston Chronicle reporter who covers Montgomery County, including the city of Conroe and Conroe ISD.] [NOTE: This article appeared in the print Houston Chronicle August 25, 2024 in the City / State section.]

  • "Unintended consequences": Conroe ISD board to alter book review policy after 25 A.P. books banned
    By Rilwan Balogun, Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston | August 23, 2024 |

  • Controversial Conroe ISD book ban may have caused 'collateral damage' Books like "The Color Purple," which are offered in other districts for AP exams, were on the suburban district's list of items to be eliminated.
    By Kennedy Sessions, Houston Chronicle Metro Reporter | June 21, 2024 |

  • Conroe ISD Book Bans Lead to Discussion of Policy Revisions The removal of classics like Brave New World, The Color Purple, and Beloved expose flaws in current EF Local Policy.
    Texas Freedom to Read Project | July 16, 2024 |

  • Texas has seen a surge in requests to pull books from schools. Here are Houston's numbers so far
    By Hannah Dellinger, Alejandro Serrano, Houston Chronicle Staff writers | Updated March 17, 2022 8:55 a.m. |


    Cy-Fair ISD
  • Cy-Fair ISD trustees gain power in book banning process
    By Alex Bozarjian, KTRK ABC 13 | Monday, June 17, 2024 |

  • 30-year Cy-Fair ISD teacher fights board's removal of science textbook chapters
    By Danica Lloyd, Editor Community Impact | 1:19 PM June 14, 2024 CDT Updated 1:19 PM June 14, 2024 CDT |


    Fort Bend ISD
  • Fort Bend ISD passes new book removal policy, giving superintendent power to decide what stays in library All complaints about library materials will now go directly to the superintendent.
    By Natalie Weber, Houston Public Media Fort Bend County Bureau | Posted August 27, 2024, 2:40 PM |

  • Fort Bend ISD approves library book policy criticized as 'most restrictive' in Texas
    By Elizabeth Sander, Houston Chronicle Staff Writer | August 26, 2024 |

  • How Will Fort Bend ISD Respond? Fort Bend Trustee David Hamilton formally challenged 35 books in the District he serves. He hasn't read a single one.
    Texas Freedom To Read Project.org | June 05, 2024 |


    KATY ISD
  • Katy ISD board votes to ban books about gender identity from many school libraries Trustees Dawn Champagne and Rebecca Fox abstained from voting about the controversial policy, which otherwise garnered unanimous support from the board.
    By Adam Zuvanich, Houston Public Media | Posted August 27, 2024, 12:44 PM |

  • The Katy ISD board is slated to vote on banning books on gender fluidity.
    By Claire Goodman, Houston Chronicle Staff writer | August 26, 2024 |

  • Katy ISD expands book ban policy, gives board members more direct power
    By Claire Goodman, Houston Chronicle Staff writer | August 2, 2023 |


    GREATER HOUSTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS / TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS


  • Greater Houston-area school districts see surge in banned books since 2021
    By Joanne Bach, Travis Duong (both interns with Community Impact) | 8:00 AM August 15, 2024 CDT Updated 12:34 PM August 16, 2024 CDT | NOTE: Scroll to end of article to see graphic showing HOW MANY TITLES banned by school district |

  • Book bans in Texas spread as new state law takes effect As Texas enters its third straight school year of coordinated book banning activity, a growing number of districts are targeting library books. Caught in the dragnet: books featuring a 'naked' crayon and one with a cartoon butt.
    By Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica Investigative Unit | October 11, 2023 6 AM Central |


    OUTSIDE TEXAS:


  • PEN America Index of School Book Bans – Fall 2022 [Note: Book titles included]


    ADDITIONAL LINKS ABOUT BANNED BOOKS & FREEDOM TO READ:


  • Texas Freedom to Read Project

  • Banned Books Week is September 22-28, 2024

  • Book Resumes
    "Book Resumes help teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title's significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, book review committees, elected officials, and board members." [From Web page]


    ADDITIONAL ARTICLE ABOUT 2002 AND BOOK BANNING


    Northwoods is mentioned in this Houston Chronicle article:
  • Book-banning battle grows in Montgomery County Battle over book-banning grows Another sex-education book volume in library at center of storm
    By Beth Kuhles, Houston Chronicle | September 10, 2002 |


    VOTER INFORMATION FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2024
  • See which candidates are on the Nov. 5 ballot for Conroe ISD's board
    By Angela Bonilla, Community Impact | 3:04 PM August 21, 2024 CDT Updated 3:19 PM August 21, 2024 CDT |

  • Vote411.org [League of Women Voters' Web site for candidate information]


    SEE Justice Forum: Book Banning
    "2002 Montgomery County Culture Wars: We Stood Firm" presented by Karyl Paige [February 25, 2023]


    Book challenges and bans are nothing new to libraries. Karyl will share some lessons from previous attempts at censorship.


    Karyl opened her presentation by saying that 20 years (and more) ago women were, for the most part, in jobs such as secretary, nurse, teacher, librarian, etc. Women had not entered male-dominated fields in any great numbers at that time.

    Then she mentioned the book Backlash, which was published when women DID start to enter male-dominated fields in significant numbers.

    Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women
    by Susan Faludi (Author)
    Publisher: Crown; 15th edition (August 15, 2006)
    Paperback: 608 pages
    ISBN-10: 0307345424
    ISBN-13: 978-0307345424
    Paperback – August 15, 2006
    NOTE:
    Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women
    Faludi, Susan
    First published by Crown in 1991
    ISBN 10: 0517576988 ISBN 13: 9780517576984


    Deep in the Pockets of Texas (43 min. 35 sec.) CNN Special Report.
    "A documentary that touches on two billionaires who have been pouring millions into buying politicians and shaping the political direction of Texas. A Texas Senate member, Kel Seliger, compares it to a Russian Oligarchy. That's the what. The why is 7 mountains dominionism / Christian nationalism." Posted on YouTube Jul 30, 2022 by Christopher Tackett.

    This program is about Tim Dunn's and Farris Wilks/Wilks Brothers' outsize political donations to Texas candidates.


    Texas lawmakers OK bill that aims to keep sexually explicit material out of school libraries Approved by both chambers, the bill is now on its way to the governor. Unless he vetoes it, the bill will become law, which means book vendors will have to assign ratings to books based on depictions or references to sex.
    By Sneha Dey and Raul Trey Lopez, Texas Tribune. Jolie McCullough and Alex Nguyen contributed to this story. | May 23, 2023 Updated May 24, 2023 |

    Bill headed to Gov. Abbott's desk sets new standards to ban books from Texas schools
    By Sneha Dey and Raul Trey Lopez, The Texas Tribune AS SEEN ON THE ABC13.COM SITE | Wednesday, May 24, 2023 8:39AM |

    Banned books exhibit at city libraries provide access to important literature
    by Christian Betancourt, El Paso Matters | May 21, 2023 |


    Frequently challenged book:
    It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health
    by Robie H. Harris (Author), Michael Emberley (Illustrator)
    Publisher: Candlewick; Illustrated edition (May 18, 2021)
    Paperback: 128 pages
    ISBN-10: 1536207217 ISBN-13: 978-1536207217
    Young adult book first published by Candlewick in 1994


    Controversial book:
    Our bodies, ourselves
    Pub Date: c2011.
    ISBN: 9781439190661
    Edition: [40th anniversary ed.], Touchstone ed.
    Publication: New York : Simon & Schuster, c2011.
    Description: xiii, 928 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
    General Note: "Completely revised and updated"--Cover.
    "A Touchstone book."

    Our Bodies, Ourselves
    by Boston Women's Health Book Collective (Author), Judy Norsigian (Author)
    Publisher: Atria Books; Revised edition (October 4, 2011)
    Paperback: 944 pages
    Paperback – October 4, 2011
    ISBN-10: 1439190666 ISBN-13: 978-1439190661
    NOTE: Originally published in 1971.


    The Campaign to Sabotage Texas’s Public Schools What seems like an outbreak of local skirmishes is part of a decades-long push to privatize the education system.
    By Mimi Swartz, Texas Monthly | March 2023 |

    Meet the Writer Behind Our March Cover Story (Senior executive editor Mimi Swartz at Texas Monthly)
    Mimi Swartz's latest epic is a must-read tale of a decades-long attempt to sabotage Texas’s public schools.
    By Dan Goodgame, Texas Monthly | March 2023 |

    Texas lawmakers pass bill allowing public schools to employ chaplains who have no state certification
    By Raja Razek, CNN | Published 7:24 PM EDT, Thu May 25, 2023 |

    Lawmakers in Texas' Republican-controlled House passed a bill Wednesday that would allow public schools to employ or accept volunteer chaplains who are not state certified.

    Senate Bill 763, which passed 84-60, reads, "A school district or open-enrollment charter school may employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of trustees of the district or the governing body of the school."

    "A chaplain employed or volunteering under this chapter is not required to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification," it added.

    Republican 2024 hopeful Ron DeSantis is 'blazing a trail' on school book bans
    By Andrew DeMillo, Anthony Izaguirre, Nicholas Riccardi, all Associated Press. AP writers Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Arleigh Rodgers in Indianapolis contributed to this report. | May 26, 2023 3:44 PM EDT |
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Florida Family Policy Council Annual Dinner Gala, in Orlando, Florida, U.S., M...


  • Conroe ISD board will not have trustee on committee that reviews controversial books
    By Catherine Dominguez, Your Conroe News.com Staff writer | February 24, 2023 Updated February 24, 2023 4:07 PM |

  • Conroe ISD to restrict board members from serving on library book review committees
    By Cassandra Jenkins, Community Impact.com | February 22, 2023 2:00 PM CST |

  • Conroe ISD removes ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ from high school curriculum after parent’s complaint The public school district north of Houston is keeping the popular 1999 novel in its libraries for high school students and plans to revisit whether prior parental consent should be required before checking it out.
    By Adam Zuvanich, Houston Public Media.org | January 18, 2023 5:06 PM |

  • Conroe ISD adapts to new legislation, library policies
    By Kylee Haueter, Community Impact | Aug 18, 2022 CDT 8:15 AM |

  • Cy-Fair ISD parents will have more input on books students can access in 2022-23
    By Mikah Boyd, Community Impact Newspaper | Tuesday, August 9, 2022 9:27PM |

  • Humble ISD parents form group to remove 'dirty books' from school libraries
    By Briana Conner, KTRK Channel 13 staff | Tuesday, August 9, 2022 10:18PM |

  • A Texas lawmaker [State Rep. Matt Krause] is targeting 850 books that he says could make students feel uneasy
    by Bill Chappell, NPR staff | October 28, 2021 1:00 PM ET |
  • Krause Book List.pdf
  • Texas House committee to investigate school districts’ books on race and sexuality: State Rep. Matt Krause, a candidate for state attorney general, asked school superintendents to confirm whether any books on a list of 850 titles are in their libraries and classrooms.
    By Brian Lopez, Texas Tribune | Oct. 26, 2021 12 PM Central |
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    Last Modified: 2/25/2023 AND 5/28/2023 and 9/1/2024