Libraries

The program provides a free book a month to kids up to 5 years of age, who are enrolled in Orange, Lake, Flagler, Volusia and Polk counties.

The city of Coral Springs is placing fun-sized libraries within the community, making books more accessible year-round. The project is inspired by the Little Free Library movement, which started in Wisconsin about 15 years ago.

In 2023, HB 1069 took effect in Florida. The law made it easier to challenge any book that was pornagraphic, depicted sex or was age inappropriate.

The Florida Department of State issued a new rule that says it will "not allow grant project activities" associated with the American Library Association and its affiliates.

The American Association of School Librarians held its biannual conference in Tampa. Some painted a stark picture of the profession in a polarized political climate.

A romance novelist who loves historical fiction is part of a panel taking part in the November event.

All 10 branches will be shut on Monday, Oct. 9 and reopen the next day as staffers learn new skills.

So far this school year, there have been more book bans in Florida than almost any other state, according to an analysis by the free expression advocacy group PEN America. The former president of the state's library association has acknowledged that advocates for intellectual freedom are "being out-organized."

Florida is second in the nation in school book censorship. The director of a library in Palm Beach County is concerned that public libraries could start facing the same challenges.

Hillsborough School Board members voted 4-3 Tuesday at a special meeting to ban "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson from all middle schools in the county.

The administrative legal challenge seeks to force the Florida Department of Education to roll back its media specialist training and follow the language of HB 1467.

The House Education Quality Subcommittee voted 13-5 along party lines to support the measure, with sponsor Stan McClain, R-Ocala, pushing back against opponents who characterized it as enabling book bans.