Pat Scales

A students entertains classmates with a book some may find objectionable; an elementary principal nixes librarian readers' advisory. Pat Scales offers advice. 

A PTA president seeks to cull dictionaries featuring “offensive words”; a parent inquires about safe ways her LGBTQIA+ son can fight censorship; a school board expresses no confidence in librarians to make book selection decisions.

A teacher fears students will select "unacceptable" library books.

Pat Scales answers readers' questions and shows how successful defenses of free speech pay off.

Pat Scales fields questions about a student who harasses others over reading choices, a verbally abusive mother, and a principal who lets parents observe class.

While situations may differ, knowing your library display policy and garnering parental support are key steps, says free speech expert Pat Scales.

What do you do when trustees pressure a library to cut summer programming due to book challenges? Pat Scales answers that question and more.  

As censors attack, administrators issue directives; getting ahead of Moms for Liberty; a parent bars his son from the debate team.

Pat Scales explains why understanding terminology will keep LGBTQIA+ books on the shelves; why parents shouldn't have to know what their kids read; and more.