Book Removals

Families in Polk County Schools can use the Parent Portal tool to look through the entire library catalog at their school library, and then opt out of books they don't approve of.

Alachua County Public Schools said Friday it was putting back into a high school's library an LGBTQ book that had been challenged under Florida law over graphic references to masturbation and sex.

The American Library Association has drawn the ire of conservatives for its stance on book bans and censorship. Now, Pasco residents want any possible funds going towards the ALA scrubbed from the school budget.

There are efforts to change how decisions are made about which books libraries should stock and which section they belong in. Some advocate using a national rating system like the one used for movies.

Politifact Florida found that none of the books on Pink’s 13-title list has been banned statewide. Ten have been temporarily or permanently removed or restricted from shelves in at least one Florida school district, reports said.

Litigator Katie Blankenship was named Florida director for PEN America this week.

The pop music icon is taking a stand against the libraries and classrooms around the U.S. that have removed books due to claims of inappropriate content related to sexuality, gender identity and race.

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 school district says it followed procedure in approving the book. State law says any textbook that is adopted has to align with the state standards.

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.

Paul English, the co-founder of the travel site Kayak, recently launched Banned Books USA, an initiative that provides books that have been banned, removed, or challenged in Florida to any residents of the state. All they have to do is pay the shipping.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discuss the U.S. Humanitarian Parole Program with Luis Miranda, principal deputy assistant secretary for communications at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Plus, we look at Florida’s chartered flights from Israel with the Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos. And later, an update on how school districts are navigating book reviews.