Free Expression

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.

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 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.

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.

Monday, July 14, is the deadline for ordering this year's newly redesigned FREADOM gift card, featuring both a statement explaining that the participating bookseller is contributing 10 percent of the value of the card to defending the freedom to read and Roger Roth's popular illustration of the Statue of Liberty reading a book. Stores will receive their orders in time for Banned Books Week celebrations (September 27 - October 4).

This Friday, July 11, is the deadline for nominations for the Fall Children's Indie Next List, which will be the debut kids' Next List.

On Tuesday, July 1, a federal judge struck down an Indiana law requiring bookstores and other retail establishments that sell even a single "sexually explicit" book, magazine, video, or recording to register with the state and pay a $250 license fee. Judge Sarah Evans Barker declared in a written opinion: "Clearly, a vast array of merchants and materials is implicated by the reach of this statute as written.

This week, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) unveiled a new design for its popular FREADOM gift card. Now, along with Roger Roth's popular illustration of the Statue of Liberty reading a book, the face of the FREADOM card explains to customers that the participating bookseller is contributing 10 percent of the value of the card to defending the freedom to read.