Florida Freedom to Read Project
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Florida Freedom to Read Project
@flfreedomread.bsky.social
FL public school parents who believe in preserving access to information in public education and libraries. https://www.fftrp.org/florida_censorship_attempts
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We volunteer our time to research how state laws have impacted educational opportunities for our children. That research requires public records, and public records require money.

You can help support our work and get some anti-censorship apparel at the same time:

www.bonfire.com/store/florid...
Florida Freedom to Read Project | Official Merchandise | Bonfire
Florida Freedom to Read Project connects parent organizations across the state to defend every student's right to access information & ideas.
www.bonfire.com
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
Talking with your kids about books isn’t scary, it’s powerful.
Books open doors. Conversations build trust.

Ask what they think. Listen. Grow together.
That’s not dangerous, that’s parenting.

#FreedomToRead #RaiseReaders #BooksNotBans
February 10, 2026 at 2:15 PM
HB 1119 and HB 31 will be on the House floor tomorrow.

Please take 5 minutes to call or email your State Representative today and ask them to oppose both bills.

Also, HB 1071 will be in its final Committee stop today at 9:30am. More info here: www.fftrp.org/bills_to_watch
February 10, 2026 at 1:37 PM
For those that are catching the film for the first time and feel inspired to act, check out this article from @heykellyjensen.bsky.social from the end of last year.

It will get you caught up on what’s happened since filming stopped:

bookriot.com/book-censors...
February 9, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
Four state-level right to read bills are on deck right now. Here's what they are, why one of them is not being actively endorsed, and how you can get involved.

The teen letters here are outstanding, too.

That, plus a deeply frustrating roundup of book censorship news: bookriot.com/freedom-to-r...
Four Freedom to Read Bills to Follow Right Now: Book Censorship News, February 6, 2026
Updates on four freedom to read bills at the state level right now, as well as the voices of students advocating for their right to read.
bookriot.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:18 PM
As House lawmakers take to the floor next week to vote on HB 1119, it’s important to understand everything proponents of this bill are ignoring when they continue with their tired 21/22 talking points.

Watch the film. The attacks are not over, and you haven’t missed your opportunity to act.
February 6, 2026 at 3:02 PM
HB 31 will also be on the House floor the same day.

This is a bad bill that will lead to viewpoint-based censorship in our school libraries for no other reason than a failure to adopt the state’s prescribed language.
February 6, 2026 at 1:04 AM
HB 1119 will be on the House floor on Wednesday, 2/11.

It’s time to call and email your elected State Rep and others representing your county.

www.flhouse.gov/FindYourRepr...
February 5, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Here’s another example of how the rubric is intended to work.

The main objector submitted this content as proof that the book “Becoming Brianna” should be removed from the library. The district decided to restrict it to grades 7+, and the objector appealed. The district decided to retain at 7+.
February 5, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
I'll be live with Sabrina Baeta of PEN America for a Red, Wine and Blue event 2/19. We're talking the trends in book censorship and where/how you can get involved in pushing back right now.

Register for the free event here --> go.redwine.blue/0219tt-bookr...
Want to learn how to recognize and fight the latest tactics in book banning? Sign up here!
Book bans aren’t slowing down — they’re evolving with a sneakier strategy that often flies under the radar. Join us as we discuss the newest trends and tactics driving today’s book bans and how commun...
go.redwine.blue
February 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
If HB 1119 becomes law, Clay could be the model for how districts should handle content, and look where it’s gotten them:

“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” restricted to HS only

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” restricted to grades 7+

“The Witch of Blackbird Pond”
restricted to grades 7+
February 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
That updated rubric isn’t the only concern in Clay.

Students cannot check out ANY books until the district has verified all required monthly removal/restrictions have been processed by the school’s media specialist.

Clay continues to be the most active censorship district in the state.
February 5, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Last week, Clay County Public Schools discussed an updated rubric for library purchasing guidelines during a Board Workshop.

It's already on the district website as adopted without public notice or ability to comment: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Appendix Rubric: Library Book Purchasing Guidelines and Descriptions
Board Approved Community Standard Elementary (K-6) Junior High (7-8) Senior High (9-12) Profanity/Obscene Language No crude profanity, racial or religious slurs. *Because of Winn Dixie Limited profan...
docs.google.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
Ready to turn your love of books into action? YOU can make a difference for the freedom to read!

This guide is packed with simple, creative advocacy ideas to protect the freedom to read in your community.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turn_passion...

#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #LibraryAdvocacy
Turn Passion Into Action: Advocacy Event Ideas to Protect the Freedom to Read
Get involved with simple community events—postcards, calls, webinars, and read-ins—to mobilize neighbors and protect the freedom to read.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
HB 1071 allows the Commissioner to reject use of all textbooks by a specific publisher for up to five years.

Coincidentally, this new Committee bill, SB 7036 allows districts to purchase materials produced by the FLDOE “at any time.” You know, in case they need it.

www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill...
February 5, 2026 at 2:55 AM
“We already know what happens when FL passes vague censorship laws. When a federal judge struck down parts of…statute in 2023 for violating the First Amendment, the ruling did not slow lawmakers down…this new slate of proposed legislation pushes even harder.”

www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-e...
Florida’s lawmakers want to ban more books. Here’s why they should stop | Opinion
As a lifelong Florida resident and fervent reader, I understand how stories shape our world. Access to books allowed me to cultivate empathy and curiosity. | Opinion
www.miamiherald.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:59 PM
HB 1071 allows the Commissioner to reject use of all textbooks by a specific publisher for up to five years.

Coincidentally, this new Committee bill, SB 7036 allows districts to purchase materials produced by the FLDOE “at any time.” You know, in case they need it.

www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill...
February 5, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
“It examines the coordinated effort by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty to ban a wide range of books at public schools and public libraries … and the abuse librarians have received .. Some right-wing ideologues have gone so far as to accuse librarians of ‘grooming’ kids.”
‘The Librarians’ To Premiere On PBS ‘Independent Lens’ As Political Backlash Mounts Against Book Banning
'The Librarians,' directed by Kim A. Snyder, will debut on PBS amid a backlash to book banning campaigns across the country.
deadline.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer helps readers face grief, trauma, and healing with honesty and empathy. That’s not dangerous, that’s human.

Let kids read. Let them feel.

#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans
February 4, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
Got 5 minutes? Email your legislators. A few thoughtful messages can shape votes that protect our libraries.

Be brief, say you’re a constituent, make a clear ask, share your story, follow up.

Your voice matters.

#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #Advocate
February 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
This isn't “parental choice.” It’s shelves emptied, stories erased & students cut off from ideas that help them learn, question & grow.

Every removed book is a reader who won't see themselves reflected & narrows the world a little more. FL students deserve libraries full of possibility, not fear.
February 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculates the cost of efforts to fire civil rights staff, and questions the department's ability to enforce federal civil rights laws. n.pr/4k9Yo4m
The Education Department's efforts to fire staff cost over $28 million, watchdog says
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculates the cost of efforts to fire civil rights staff, and questions the department's ability to enforce federal civil rights laws.
n.pr
February 2, 2026 at 10:12 AM
“…instructors are now required to teach our popular introductory course with materials produced by staff from the Board of Governors (BOG), the body that oversees Florida’s public universities. The state has gone from prescribing what cannot be taught to dictating what must be taught.”
Florida is replacing free inquiry with political indoctrination | Opinion
Two professors of sociology at Florida International University write that top-down decisions on how and what they can teach do not represent the ideals of higher education.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
One of the things I hope folks take away here is that $14,000,000 of your tax dollars were funneled away from US libraries and museums and into the hands of PragerU.
January 31, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Florida Freedom to Read Project
The IMLS propaganda machine is in full swing.

buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
The IMLS Propaganda Machine Is In Full Swing
The agency overseeing U.S. libraries and museums is now full-on regime propaganda.
buttondown.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:01 PM
“This section of standards, in contrast, seeks to fuse curriculum with administration talking points — it tries to turn social-studies classrooms into another outlet for ‘spin.’”

www.tampabay.com/news/educati...
Florida proposes teaching students about ‘the fall of Nicolas Maduro’
The lessons would come under the state’s anti-communism standards
www.tampabay.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:06 PM