In response to recent prohibitions affecting secondary health curricula in Florida, four organizations – Florida Freedom to Read Project (FFTRP), EveryLibrary, PEN America, and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) – are urging school district leaders to recognize that state-mandated curriculum limits should not extend to school libraries.
This position aligns with arguments made by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, which has previously stated in court that restrictions on classroom instruction do not necessarily apply “in the very different setting of a school library.”
The groups are concerned that misguided interpretations of parental rights laws, such as Florida’s HB 1557, could lead to overreach in school libraries.
This concern follows the removal of all LGBTQ+ representation from K-8 libraries in Charlotte County during the 2023-2024 school year, a move critics argue was based on misapplications of the law.
In an open letter to Florida superintendents and school board attorneys, the organizations asserted:
“State limitations on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education have created a curriculum that falls short of what most parents expect. Students have a right to broaden their education beyond the classroom within the boundaries set by their parents—not the state. Our school libraries help ensure all students have access to the learning opportunities they seek and need. Please protect that access.”
Stephana Ferrell, Director of Research and Insight for the Florida Freedom to Read Project, spoke from personal experience:
“As a parent of children in Orange County Public Schools, I no longer have the option to decide whether they receive vital information about consent, contraceptives, and prenatal development from a trusted educator—the state has made that decision for me. Having this information available in our public schools is essential for protecting the overall health and well-being of our communities. Our school libraries must fill the gap our classrooms no longer can.”
Christine Emeran, Director of the Youth Free Expression Program at NCAC, emphasized the broader implications of censorship:
“Every student deserves the freedom to explore, learn, and think without the limits of censorship. Our libraries and curricula must remain spaces of open expression and informed choice, where age-appropriate resources are curated by trusted professionals—not restricted by politicians.”
Katie Blankenship, PEN America’s Florida Senior Director and Counsel, added:
“Florida has led the nation in banning books for far too long. The recent cuts to sex education are dangerous, prone to overreach, and likely to result in more books being removed from shelves. Florida’s leadership should focus on strengthening public education and restoring books to libraries—not targeting essential curriculum.”
Young people deserve comprehensive knowledge about their bodies, as well as the skills to protect themselves from abuse, disease, and unplanned pregnancies. Students will seek answers to their questions regardless of restrictions. School leaders can determine whether they find accurate, reliable information in a supportive learning environment. School libraries, guided by educational professionals, should remain trusted sources while allowing parents to set individual boundaries for their children.
John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, stressed the critical role of libraries in fostering informed communities:
“School libraries are essential pillars of public education, offering students a safe place to explore diverse perspectives and access reliable, age-appropriate information curated by professionals. Limiting that access not only undermines intellectual freedom but also jeopardizes students’ ability to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and futures. It’s imperative that libraries remain spaces of opportunity—not restriction.”
