They're coming for your public library (updated)

Michigan. Illinois. Missouri. Wyoming. Arkansas. Texas. Louisiana. Washington. Alabama. Virginia

We have seen the march of book bannings turn into a movement to entirely defund public libraries.

Many politicians and far right groups are attempting to deny your freedom to simply check out a book by defunding libraries over books and programs, and they are coming for your library next.

One hundred percent of your donations will help us fund the fight against book bans and library closures.

It is not a hollow threat. We have seen this in several states already.

Columbia County in Washington where someone digitally altered photographs to build support for de-funding the library.

Samuels Public Library in Front Royal, Virginia, has been the target of a book banning campaign that has now turned to de-funding threats.

Dale County Library in Alabama where the mayor exchanged text messages about burning books with a board member.

Missouri battled an effort to stop its public library system from being de-funded statewide.

The town of Patmos, Michigan, lost its libraries in similar retaliatory disputes over book bans.

Craigshead-Jonesboro in Arkansas cut the funding for its library in half for standing up against censorship.

In Illinois, the Niles-Maine Public Library is being de-funded from the inside by radical board members.

Lafayette Parish in Louisiana lost 10 million in funding in a campaign pushed by a radical right activist in retaliation for library programs he didn't like.

The commissioners in Campbell County, Wyoming pushed for de-funding the library over books on the shelves.

Places like Llano County in Texas have had to fight against radical de-funding efforts for not banning books that politicians wanted removed.

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When these politicians are not allowed to ban the books, they shut down the public libraries.

Much of the focus in this debate has been on school libraries.

But the events in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana make it clear these forces will not stop at school libraries. They want public libraries to close completely unless they comply with politically motivated book bans.

Yours could be next.

This is their goal. To close your library down and take away the critical services they offer to your community.

We need to act. Your library could be next.

Please donate here to help stop this assault on libraries and the liberty to choose what you want to read.