Free Expression

With passions growing in the final weeks of the presidential campaign (as evidenced by reports of attacks on Booksmith in Seneca, South Carolina), the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) is reminding booksellers that one way to try to handle complaints about the content of the books they carry is to post a statement proclaiming their support for free speech.

Banned Books Week is in full swing at stores and libraries around the country, where events range from First Amendment panel discussions and Banned Children's Books Storytime to Banned Film Night and readings from banned books.

On Wednesday, October 1, the International Publishers Association (IPA) and the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) strongly condemned a series of attacks on publishing houses and bookshops in Greece and the attempted firebombing of publisher Gibson Square in the U.K.

A growing number of bookstores and libraries are sharing their plans for Banned Books Week, which begins next Saturday, September 27, via the new site www.bannedbooksweek.org.

On Wednesday, September 10, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) joined 18 groups in issuing a statement urging members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to support the Freedom of Speech Protection Act of 2008 (S. 2977), legislation that provides that foreign libel judgments cannot be enforced in the U.S. if the speech is not actionable under U.S. law.

When Shannon Cullip and her husband, Leonard Cullip, opened Pandemonium Booksellers in Wasilla, Alaska, with business partner Rex Weltz this past June, their aim was to create a "community destination." They didn't expect that their community would become a major focal point for the press or that a local writer's biography of Alaska's governor, Sarah Palin, would become a national bestseller. But they're enjoying the attention, and the sales.

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is encouraging booksellers to spread the word about their Banned Books Week plans via the new website www.bannedbooksweek.org.

Booksellers who have placed orders for this year's FREADOM gift card and presenter, sponsored by the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), will soon receive them.

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) is encouraging all ABA members to share their plans for Banned Books Week displays and events at www.bannedbooksweek.org.

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the American Library Association (ALA) have launched a new website to help bookstores and libraries promote Banned Books Week.

Two members of the United States Congress from different parties recently joined in speaking out in favor of legislation to protect the confidentiality of news sources after participating in a program co-sponsored by Arundel Books in Seattle, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), and the MLRC Institute.

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), is co-sponsoring a new program that will bring reporters to bookstores around the country to discuss how the Internet is changing the practice of journalism.

Arundel Books, Prince Books, King's Books, The Drama Book Shop, and Book Nook Bookstore each recently partnered with the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), working with the MLRC Institute, to create panel events featuring lawyers and reporters who have worke

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) is urging booksellers to join in the only national celebration of the freedom to read -- Banned Books Week -- to be held this year from September 27 through October 4.

There is still time to nominate titles for the 2008 Banned Books Top Ten.

The Banned Books list is timed so that booksellers can use these titles and the list in conjunction with Banned Books Week displays and related events. (Banned Books Week is scheduled this year for September 27 to October 4.) The list features titles (both for adults and for children) that have been banned or challenged in bookstores and/or libraries.