How can all the organizations fighting book bans.... by

Agree on a single phrase / hashtag to unify all our public messaging

2024-10-17 16:17:59 UTC

Create a private tracker that shows all legal efforts that can be accessed by key stakeholders

2024-10-17 16:18:25 UTC

Who are the plaintiffs, who has signed an amicus, what arguments are being used, etc

develop core messaging that can be adapted for local communities

2024-10-17 16:18:39 UTC

Urban libraries and larger systems, check in with your area small & rural libraries to see how you can lend support.

2024-10-17 16:18:55 UTC

Establish a Resource Clearing House (UABB)

2024-10-17 16:19:13 UTC

United Against Book Bans is a massive coalition that has individuals, groups, and organizations spanning the nation. Transitioning it to a Resource Clearing House for both practitioners and the public would be a good place.

2024-10-17 16:19:31 UTC

Shared vocabulary

Make a public heat map of adverse legislation, funding cuts, and censorship. The best disinfectant is sunlight.

2024-10-17 16:20:42 UTC

one way for folks to report book challenges and bans

2024-10-17 16:21:41 UTC

seems like there's at least five places folks should report a book ban or challenge - wouldn't it be easier to have just one and that we all share to a single form?

Make sure all the main organizations fighting book banning know about it: Contact EveryLibrary to get pro bono assistance through the Fight For The First campaign site; Email bookbanschallenges@gmail.com (that's We Are Stronger Than Censorship); fill out the form at https://pen.org/issue/book-bans/ (that's PEN America); send info to the American Library Association; and share with the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Attending convenings

2024-10-17 16:22:56 UTC

To co-organize panels and meet at the annual conventions of ALA and NCTE for info/knowledge sharing. Also, allow time for informal discussions too.

make a SINGLE landing page of resources that ALL orgs share

2024-10-17 16:24:40 UTC

Unify how State organizations report. They all do something different.

2024-10-17 16:24:59 UTC

Create a legislation tracker that is shared by all stakeholders

2024-10-17 16:26:00 UTC

brief descriptions, legislation status, who is doing anything about it, etc

Spreadsheet of IF Friendly Press and Legal Clinics

2024-10-17 16:27:24 UTC

Library Futures put this together: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xqs0Trf3NqHCAkCR6MLsH2BoDd4Sp_VwfzXAajS_fHI/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Database of legal support

2024-10-17 16:29:38 UTC

Offer contact info per state for reaching out when book challenges arise

Centralize branding on the issue

2024-10-17 16:31:00 UTC

Share assets and slogans for all groups to use

2024-10-17 16:31:05 UTC

Make sure the general public understands these are not grassroot efforts to "protect" kids, but rather a coordinated efforts to control what messages and information people have access to. It sounds Orwellian but control the message, control how people think.

shared clear goals; understand the strengths of each organization

2024-10-17 16:32:13 UTC

shared definitions and education

2024-10-17 16:36:58 UTC

educating public on book bans, book challenges, silent censorship, etc. with simple and straightforward language to understand the scope of the problem

Defining Roles and Responsibilities

2024-10-17 16:37:01 UTC

We all are experts in different parts of the 1st Amendment world. It would help us to know why we are tracking specific data, how it is used, and how we can refer and/or directly respond in a coordinated effort when help is needed. Identifying and clarifying our roles and responsibilities could help us all know how we harmonize and collaborate more effectively.

Assets for advocacy on state laws

2024-10-17 16:37:05 UTC

Customize messaging on laws for local groups to use for advocacy

Data vs story

2024-10-17 16:38:04 UTC

I think we need a more equitable connection between data and personal narratives. Some organizations are really great at providing data, but then that can become the focus especially in news coverage. People can then either overly focus on the numbers or gloss over them as irrelevant. Losing the reality of what's happening.

Interactive power map of where decisions are being made and where grassroots organizing networks exist

2024-10-17 16:38:09 UTC

Requires maintenance, but more about what we have mapped than what we don't have mapped. Could be done more abstractly to not require continuous updating

Spreadsheet of relevant state legislation w/ actions

2024-10-17 16:40:22 UTC

All state legislation related to book censorship with actions, status, etc. Connected to legal spreadsheet with similar aims

2024-10-17 16:40:26 UTC

We do need some short easy phrases. I always say the other side can be effective because it's very easy to just lie. Allowing them to distill things to simple messages. Without loosing integrity, we need some base level responses/phrases to use to distill our own points.

Who's going to pay for this?

2024-10-17 16:41:12 UTC

We need this initiative to be actually funded and for people to be paid for their work.

Central Data Repository that is transparent with how information is gathered

2024-10-17 16:41:14 UTC

Proactive Bills & Policy Asks

2024-10-17 16:41:25 UTC

Develop and share templates for bills that protect readers, publishers, authors, and library workers.

Make these templates available with a list of experts that can be consulted as library advocates seek to propose legislation in a proactive way.

Include social media templates to push the policy asks and legislation support forward.

recognize the strength (and resources) from each group

2024-10-17 16:41:27 UTC

Hire a comms firm to quarterback a national messaging campaign - goal to reach audiences who don't commonly think about these issues -

2024-10-17 16:41:31 UTC

Research Working Group

2024-10-17 16:41:43 UTC

Common group of researchers from different orgs that share their research and collaborate on projects. Avoid duplication of work.

Identify who will deliver the message

2024-10-17 16:42:35 UTC

And get buy-in from them. E.g. if it's frontline library staff, we'll likely have to do some education on both the issues themselves, as well as affective/attitudes to get folks actually bought in

Need to spin up a robust ground game - develop chapters of supporters across the country of concerned community members. Need to create several options for people to take action at the local level.

2024-10-17 16:43:39 UTC

We need to "play to win!"

2024-10-17 16:46:15 UTC

That means being clear about what "winning" looks like. What are our goals? Drive awareness? For federal or state legislation? To fight against local legislation? Etc. Through the communications lens, what do we want to get attention for and what action do we want people to take?

Everything should flow from there.

For Communications we should have a small working group and wider stakeholder group. We need a single document that lists: Goals, Strategy, Assets, Core messages , Answers to opposing views (message box), Spokespeople, Surrogates, Key moments (these especially need to be identified!).

It is VERY hard to break through nationally, and also necessary to give local folks sufficient support. That requires organization and discipline! An example is banned books week: we had two lists, with two different stories. Nothing broke through in a critical election year. Better would be to have a single list, a single story, a memo that goes out ahead of banned books week outlining the message, who the spokespeople are, and rallying around opportunities for in person or online engagement and action.

We should also be building on existing assets and capacities (e.g. UABB's pledges and lists).

Identify legislative champions

2024-10-17 16:47:52 UTC

Is there an intellectual freedom caucus?

Messaging in many different ways

2024-10-17 16:47:52 UTC

Billboards, lawn signs, social media, national spokespeople, op-eds, traditional media, summits/conferences, town halls . . . Needs coordination and $ investment.

I think we all have different understanding of "data" here -- what do we mean? the data collection of book bans is exceptionally time intensive/ labor intensive. there are two groups doing this kind of data collection, why is that a problem?

2024-10-17 16:51:45 UTC

Shift of focus

2024-10-17 16:53:09 UTC

Shift away from a message about being "against" and craft messaging around what freedoms we're for, what we aspire to, find ways to remind people that many more people are for this freedom than against it. It's almost like reminding people that this is something that we are all pretty much in agreement on.

draw on the strength of each of us - see how it all dove tails to be the most productive

2024-10-17 16:53:12 UTC

Simple, clear messaging to counter "groomer" type labeling, which is so chilling to getting people locally involved. Are there counter terms or phrases that would appeal to a broad range of the public to refer to the people on the ground championing books and to the people pushing these bans that could possibly go viral and move the chilling in the other direction.

2024-10-17 16:54:05 UTC

We need to tap into an emotional response!!

2024-10-17 16:54:23 UTC

Facts aren't going to be effective against worldviews & cognitive dissonance

what are the needs? how can we better collect and understand the needs. many here may already be ready to meet those needs

2024-10-17 16:54:35 UTC

remember the end user - how can we protect democracy

2024-10-17 16:54:36 UTC

Working groups for each of these three issues (the first being data / reporting on book bans / challenges)

2024-10-17 16:56:28 UTC

Table

2024-10-17 16:57:38 UTC

Would be great to understand if the group has any admission/values based criteria for joining, and/or any substantive ‘positions’ - or whether a self-described interest in fighting book bans is sufficient. Specifically important for c3s to know if any partisan groups are invited or involved.

On "positions" - an example would be, do we care about all book bans and challenges regardless of the politics, do we support the existence of a challenge process, etc.

generally, think our messaging needs to be simple, use very straightforward language and be more repetitive so we break through in a more meaningful way - the "other side" tends to be much better at this IMO

2024-10-17 16:59:27 UTC

Restart Lawyers for Libraries! State/Regional workshops for CLE.

2024-10-17 17:02:47 UTC

Broader Awareness of Bans and Challenges in ALL States

2024-10-17 17:05:43 UTC

It seems like all of the publicity tends to focus on a handful of states. My state (Iowa) has a very broad and damaging book banning law but there is little national awareness of how bad things are here. At least 50% of the public that we encounter at events are unaware books are being banned from their schools. I am sure there are other states who are in similar positions.

Provide Resources

2024-10-17 17:09:16 UTC

Legislative and legal efforts are simply beyond the scope of what we can handle right now. Aside from the ISEA and the ILA (and of course the current Penguin lawsuit), we're the only ones doing this work in Iowa. Do we need legislative efforts? Absolutely. But I have no idea where to start, no one to turn to, no funding, and no time to add a new focus.

Google Docs or Google Folder as a central repository for Alliance Work

2024-10-17 17:09:27 UTC

TIME the release of messaging to avoid confusion amongst the public. Maybe a Banned Books / Right to Read Messaging Calendar for the year?

2024-10-17 17:10:04 UTC

perhaps this discussion could be reframed on the positive: things we've done well as a collective -- build from where we are strong, rather than trying to respond to gaps first.

2024-10-17 17:10:25 UTC

Prioritize silent censorship in data collection and public awareness campaigns

2024-10-17 17:14:39 UTC

Craft messaging that expands our reach outside our core audience to reach the general public, including teens, who are particularly well adapted to create viral awareness campaigns

2024-10-17 17:15:15 UTC

One central document that defines challenges vs. banned books vs. silent censorship

2024-10-17 17:15:26 UTC

Prioritize silent censorship in data collection and public awareness campaigns

2024-10-17 17:15:31 UTC

More unity in annual convenings like ALA and NCTE

2024-10-17 17:16:24 UTC

center access -- for students, for library patrons -- to books, ideas, information

2024-10-17 17:53:42 UTC

some of these resources already exist

2024-10-17 17:56:11 UTC

i understand this is part of the problem but if folks are looking for resources/ information, it's likely out there already -- maybe a listserv to help field some of these information/ resource needs would be a good start?

^^ on data, we don't want to gather the same data twice. we could potentially come together to collect and report in a more efficient way. like sharing data submitted to each of the "report censorship" forms we have

2024-10-17 22:13:49 UTC

empower frontline librarians for being messengers, advocates, and cultivators

2024-10-17 22:19:46 UTC

series of coordinated op-eds in a major publication. variety of voices, presenting multiple cases for the freedom to read, but all aligned toward the same goals

2024-10-17 22:21:16 UTC

Center those most impacted - students/readers, authors - what do they need and shape messaging to support them. Students and parents can't wait for lawsuits ... they need help now.

2024-10-18 16:50:55 UTC

Teach orgs that collect data how to talk about the other orgs data in clear and constructive ways. How does our data together tell a wider story - how is it in allignment.

2024-10-18 16:51:54 UTC

Collecting data is meaningless without a use for that data. How does the collection of titles matter in terms of helping awareness, etc. Adjust accordingly.

2024-10-18 16:53:15 UTC

Understand we must talk about the grooming calls head on. Sex content is appropriate and important in books for young people. Without speaking positively and proactively about sexual content, we lose the messaging argument - always. Defend the right of young people to understand their bodies, have the knowledge to defend their bodies, and the belief that pleasure is appropriate and acceptable for their bodies - all messages currently twisted and weaponized against literature.

2024-10-18 16:55:12 UTC

Stop thinking about this as a battle over books - but instead a fight about how we deal with knowledge and expertise and who gets to tell their story in the American cultural fabric.

2024-10-18 16:56:04 UTC

How can all the organizations fighting book bans.... by

Agree on a single phrase / hashtag to unify all our public messaging

Create a private tracker that shows all legal efforts that can be accessed by key stakeholders

develop core messaging that can be adapted for local communities

Urban libraries and larger systems, check in with your area small & rural libraries to see how you can lend support.

Establish a Resource Clearing House (UABB)

Make a public heat map of adverse legislation, funding cuts, and censorship. The best disinfectant is sunlight.

one way for folks to report book challenges and bans

Attending convenings

make a SINGLE landing page of resources that ALL orgs share

Unify how State organizations report. They all do something different.

Create a legislation tracker that is shared by all stakeholders

Spreadsheet of IF Friendly Press and Legal Clinics

Database of legal support

Centralize branding on the issue

shared clear goals; understand the strengths of each organization

shared definitions and education

Defining Roles and Responsibilities

Assets for advocacy on state laws

Data vs story

Interactive power map of where decisions are being made and where grassroots organizing networks exist

Spreadsheet of relevant state legislation w/ actions

Who's going to pay for this?

Central Data Repository that is transparent with how information is gathered

Proactive Bills & Policy Asks

recognize the strength (and resources) from each group

Hire a comms firm to quarterback a national messaging campaign - goal to reach audiences who don't commonly think about these issues -

Research Working Group

Identify who will *deliver* the message

Need to spin up a robust ground game - develop chapters of supporters across the country of concerned community members. Need to create several options for people to take action at the local level.

We need to "play to win!"

Identify legislative champions

Messaging in many different ways

I think we all have different understanding of "data" here -- what do we mean? the data collection of book bans is exceptionally time intensive/ labor intensive. there are two groups doing this kind of data collection, why is that a problem?

Shift of focus

draw on the strength of each of us - see how it all dove tails to be the most productive

We need to tap into an emotional response!!

what are the needs? how can we better collect and understand the needs. many here may already be ready to meet those needs

remember the end user - how can we protect democracy

Working groups for each of these three issues (the first being data / reporting on book bans / challenges)

Table

generally, think our messaging needs to be simple, use very straightforward language and be more repetitive so we break through in a more meaningful way - the "other side" tends to be much better at this IMO

Restart Lawyers for Libraries! State/Regional workshops for CLE.

Broader Awareness of Bans and Challenges in ALL States

Provide Resources

Google Docs or Google Folder as a central repository for Alliance Work

TIME the release of messaging to avoid confusion amongst the public. Maybe a Banned Books / Right to Read Messaging Calendar for the year?

perhaps this discussion could be reframed on the positive: things we've done well as a collective -- build from where we are strong, rather than trying to respond to gaps first.

Prioritize silent censorship in data collection and public awareness campaigns

Craft messaging that expands our reach outside our core audience to reach the general public, including teens, who are particularly well adapted to create viral awareness campaigns

One central document that defines challenges vs. banned books vs. silent censorship

Prioritize silent censorship in data collection and public awareness campaigns

More unity in annual convenings like ALA and NCTE

center access -- for students, for library patrons -- to books, ideas, information

some of these resources already exist

^^ on data, we don't want to gather the same data twice. we could potentially come together to collect and report in a more efficient way. like sharing data submitted to each of the "report censorship" forms we have

empower frontline librarians for being messengers, advocates, and cultivators

series of coordinated op-eds in a major publication. variety of voices, presenting multiple cases for the freedom to read, but all aligned toward the same goals

Center those most impacted - students/readers, authors - what do they need and shape messaging to support them. Students and parents can't wait for lawsuits ... they need help now.

Teach orgs that collect data how to talk about the other orgs data in clear and constructive ways. How does our data together tell a wider story - how is it in allignment.

Collecting data is meaningless without a use for that data. How does the collection of titles matter in terms of helping awareness, etc. Adjust accordingly.

Stop thinking about this as a battle over books - but instead a fight about how we deal with knowledge and expertise and who gets to tell their story in the American cultural fabric.

Identify who will deliver the message