Prepared Libraries, Empowered Teams: A Workbook for Navigating Intellectual Freedom Challenges Together

In the current atmosphere where calls for book bans are all too common, this comprehensive guide designed to strengthen preparedness in the face of these challenges couldn’t be timelier. Authors Calzada (district library coordinator, Leander, TX, Independent School District), Val Edwards (library team leader, Madison, WI, Metropolitan School District), and Maegan Coffin Heindel (library services coordinator, Madison, WI, Metropolitan School District) bring a wealth of library experience, providing readers with actionable insights and strategies tailored to various library settings. Part I provides an overview of the current environment for U.S. libraries and explains the importance of starting with solid foundational policies and procedures. Part II transitions into practical applications, offering training methods, planning templates, and strategies to transform policies into actionable plans. The final section emphasizes the importance of communication and capacity-building as part of implementing and sustaining a preparedness plan. The authors’ emphasis on the importance of team cohesion and adaptability and their advice to focus on progress rather than perfection is especially helpful in anticipating these daunting situations.