Help save our libraries.
Our goal is to preserve and protect
North Idaho’s libraries.
We believe in the freedom of speech and
are committed to fighting against
censorship in all its forms.
Why are people holding signs outside my library?
On July 1, 2024 a new law takes effect in Idaho. HB710, known as the Library Bounty Bill, allows anyone to sue our Idaho school and public libraries to have books removed from shelves. This censorship law opens the door to an unending stream of lawsuits that will waste taxpayer funds, potentially bankrupt libraries, and restrict access to books and resources. The Donnelly, Idaho library has already decided to close its doors to children because of this law - other libraries may follow suit. The full impact of the law remains to be seen.
What Can I do About It?
Vote for candidates that support our local libraries and value the freedom of speech. Raise awareness by talking with family and friends and sharing our posts on social media. Write letters to your elected representatives and attend library board meetings - let our elected officials know that you love your library and oppose book bans.
Quick
Here in Idaho:
- Attempts were made to censor more than 136 unique book titles
in 2023 according to the Idaho Library Association.
- 26% of books challenged had NO sexual content of any kind.
- 49% of the challenged books were written by or about individuals
who are black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC).
- 41% of challenged books contained LGBTQIA+ content.
- A newly passed library bounty bill (HB710) goes into effect on July 1. The law invites anyone
to sue Idaho’s public and school libraries in order to get books removed from shelves.
Our tax dollars will be wasted on lawsuits and it could bankrupt or shut down some libraries.
Nationwide:
- Book challenges increased 65% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the highest level ever documented by the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom.
- In 2023 the ALA identified 4,240 unique book titles that were challenged in the US.
- 47% of books targeted contained BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ content.
- In recent years organized groups have begun demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often dozens or hundreds at a time.
Facts
About the Alliance
The Library Alliance of North Idaho is a grassroots movement.
We support local libraries, raise community awareness about library issues, educate, and fight against censorship.
We are an all volunteer group of librarians, teachers, parents, leaders, and book lovers who care about our community.
We come from a variety of backgrounds and hold a wide range of political and religious ideologies - but we all share the belief that the freedom of speech is essential to the survival of democracy. We believe that libraries should be safe and welcoming places for everyone.
The Library Alliance of North Idaho was previously known as the Community Library Network Alliance, but we’ve changed our name and expanded our mission to include all of our North Idaho libraries.
You can donate to the Library Alliance on Venmo: @LANIREADS
Email: libraryallianceni@gmail.com
Follow us on
Facebook!
Click here to join
our mailing list!
Click on your library’s logo to visit their official website.
Learn how to get a library card and discover all the cool resources our libraries offer!
The Community Library Network includes the libraries at Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Athol, Spirit Lake, Pinehurst, Harrison, and a bookmobile that serves most of Kootenai and Shoshone counties. Trustees were elected for six year terms in a county election.
The Coeur d’Alene Public Library is a city library.
Trustees are appointed by the mayor and the city council to serve five year terms.
The Cooperative Information Network is a consortium of libraries located in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. Visit their page, click “about” then “find a library” to get info on a library near you.
The East Bonner County Library District has branch locations in Sandpoint, Clark Fork, and a bookmobile serving parts of Bonner county.
News & Links
- Idaho Law Seeks to Punish Libraries - ILA Legistlative News
(UPDATE: HB710 was signed into law and goes into effect July 1)
- Book Banning At Heart of Library Board Election - Spokesman Review
- Post Falls & Athol Libraries Suffer Catastrophic Damage (Jan 2024) - Spokesman Review, CDA Press, KREM 2
- CLICK HERE for Community Library Network (8 county libraries) Board of Trustee Meeting Information - Videos, Minutes, Agendas, & Schedule
- CLICK HERE for Coeur d’Alene Public Library (city library) Board of Trustee Meeting Information
Fun Stuff
Flipster App
Magazines
Libby App
Read & Listen
to Books
Freegal App
Music
Did you know that in addition to books you can also check out tools, electronics, kitchen gadgets, educational toys, board games, and all sorts of fun and useful stuff from our libraries?
Check out the Library of Things and Full STEAM Ahead catalogs!