The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of speech and the press, but it does not guarantee the right to access any information or expression in any public forum. Public school libraries are not public forums but educational institutions with the authority and responsibility to select appropriate materials for their students. Library book bans are not censorship but rather curriculum decisions that reflect the educational goals and values of the school community.

Library book bans are not censorship. Censorship is the suppression of speech or expression by the government or a powerful entity, usually for political or ideological reasons. Library book bans are not censorship because they do not prevent anyone from expressing or accessing their views in other venues. Students and parents can still read, write, or speak about any topic they want outside of school. They can also obtain books from other sources, such as public libraries, bookstores, or online platforms. Library book bans do not silence anyone but instead limit the exposure of certain materials within a specific educational setting.

Library book bans are curriculum decisions. Public school libraries are part of the school curriculum designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. Curriculum decisions are made by school officials, teachers, and librarians, who have the expertise and authority to determine what materials are suitable and beneficial for their students. Library book bans are based on professional judgment and educational standards, not personal opinions or preferences. Library book bans are intended to protect students from harmful or inappropriate content, such as violence, profanity, racism, sexism, or misinformation. Library book bans are also meant to promote diversity and inclusion by ensuring that the library collection reflects the needs and interests of all students.

Library book bans are constitutional. The First Amendment does not prohibit library book bans as long as they are reasonable and viewpoint-neutral. The Supreme Court has never ruled that library book bans violate the First Amendment and has recognized that public schools have a legitimate interest in regulating the content of their libraries. In Board of Education v. Pico (1982), the court split failed to come to a consensus on whether school officials could get rid of books from school libraries because of their content, but none of the judges concluded that library book bans were, per se, unconstitutional. Actually, four justices stated that library book bans were constitutional, provided they were not motivated by ideological or political reasons. So, library book bans are lawful if they are based on educational criteria and do not discriminate against any viewpoint.

Library book bans do not violate the First Amendment because they are not censorship but rather curriculum decisions that are constitutional and reasonable. Public school libraries have the right and duty to select materials that are appropriate and beneficial for their students and to exclude harmful or irrelevant materials. Library book bans do not infringe on anyone’s freedom of speech or press but rather enhance the quality of education and the diversity of expression in public schools.