Free Expression

On Tuesday, PayPal retracted its threat to close the accounts of online booksellers that sell works including descriptions of rape, incest, and bestiality.

ABFFE has joined the National Coalition Against Censorship  in protesting a threat by the online payment processor PayPal to close the accounts of online booksellers selling erotic works.

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression joined with other members of the Media Coalition in urging the Supreme Court to hold that a federal law making it a crime to lie about having received a military medal violates the First Amendment.

Dozens of national organizations and several ABA member booksellers have joined together to protest the banning of books used for the Mexican American Studies program in the Tucson Unified School District.

Participants in Wi7 in New Orleans will have an opportunity to support the free speech rights of children and young readers by bidding on a dozen original pieces of children’s art by some of the book industry’s top artists and illustrators.

Last week, Flyleaf Books was caught in the middle of a controversy when several members of the community expressed strong opposition to an upcoming event on oil, gas, and energy supplies that was part of a series of talks presented in conjunction with UNC–Chapel Hill.

California booksellers could face civil fines of up to $500 if they improperly disclose customer information under a state law on reader privacy that goes into effect on January 1. 

The New York Library Association has presented its SirsiDynix Intellectual Freedom Award for 2011 to the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.

To help plan next year’s 30^th anniversary celebration of Banned Books Week, ABFFE is asking booksellers to complete a brief online survey.

ABFFE survey seeks Banned Books Week suggestions; Washington Post features “Indie City Index”; Google eBook Store launches in Canada; SBA to host disaster-preparedness webinar on November 15; HarperCollins in deal to buy Thomas Nelson

 The 29th annual celebration of Banned Books Week set a record for the number of readings from banned books and brought a successful conclusion to a three-week auction of children’s art by the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.

ABFFE honored; Health care law headed to Supreme Court; Amazon unveils tablet; Lee and Rideau win Dayton Literary Peace Prizes; Before Columbus Foundation names American Book Award winners

With the start of Banned Books Week on Saturday, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression’s auction of original children’s book art will enter its final week on eBay.

Readers across the U.S. and around the world are demonstrating their support for free speech by participating in a virtual read-out of banned and challenged books that culminates in the 30th annual celebration of Banned Books Week, from September 24 – October 1.

On Friday, September 9, ABFFE launched a three-week online auction on eBay, featuring more than 70 works of art by leading children’s book  illustrators, including Peter Brown, Susan Jeffers, Wendell Minor, Adam Rex, and Paul O. Zelinsky.