Rebecca Zeidel, Program Director
rebecca@abffe.com

ABFFE
275 7th Avenue
Suite 1504
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 587-4025
Fax: (212) 587-2436
 

ABFFE and the National Coalition Against Censorship launched the Kids’ Right to Read Project to oppose efforts to remove books from public school classrooms and libraries. There are hundreds of challenges to books in America’s schools every year, threatening the removal of the books that kids want to read the most. Booksellers frequently take the lead in opposing book censorship by organizing events or petition drives in their stores, by writing letters to local school boards, and by speaking to reporters. In-store events and displays often generate a forum for discussion of a controversial issue. ABFFE provides advice and assistance to booksellers and others opposing book-banning, education materials to promote awareness about the right to read, and other support for local activism on free speech issues. During the first year of the Kids’ Right to Read Project, ABFFE fought efforts to ban more than 30 books in 19 states and prevailed in almost all cases.

ABFFE is a leader in the fight to protect reader privacy.  In 2007, ABFFE continued its work of the past six years to educate the book community and the public about the importance of reestablishing the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the USA PATRIOT Act.  In April, ABFFE hailed the Congressional testimony of a Connecticut librarian who successfully challenged a National Security Letter (NSL) issued by the FBI. George Christian testified about the fight that he and three other librarians waged against the NSL they received in 2005 demanding the Internet records of their patrons. In late September, ABFFE and the Campaign for Reader Privacy welcomed the introduction of the National Security Letter (NSL) Reform Act of 2007 (S. 2088) by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI). The bill limits the government’s power to use the Patriot Act to secretly search a person’s records unless it can show that the person is a suspected spy or terrorist or someone in contact with such a person. ABFFE officially endorsed the legislation.

In June, ABFFE urged the repeal of a Madison, WI, ordinance that requires bookstores that purchase used textbooks to give police the names of the sellers and the titles purchased.

ABFFE submitted two amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007. In September, it joined the Association of American Publishers, the Freedom to Read Foundation and other book industry groups in warning of the potential chilling effect of the PROTECT Act of 2003. The brief in U.S. v. Williams urged the Court to uphold a lower court decision that struck down a provision of the law that bans advertisements that falsely present books, magazines and other works that are protected by the First Amendment as child pornography. The brief argues that producers, distributors and retailers must be free to advertise First Amendment-protected books and other works without the fear that a prosecutor will charge them with a crime. In February, ABFFE and NCAC submitted an amicus brief in Morse v. Frederick, arguing that it was wrong to punish a high school student for displaying a banner that read, “Bong Hits 4 Jesus.”  Free speech advocates were disappointed in June when the Court upheld the right of school officials to punish the student for speech because they believed his banner advocated the use of illegal drugs. However, the decision was narrow, applying only to advocacy of illegal drug use (and presumably other illegal activities) in school or at a school sponsored event.

ABFFE continues to fight the Miami School Board’s effort to ban a children’s picture book, Vamos a Cuba. In June, a school board attorney told the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that the board was entitled to ban the book from school libraries because it contains “inaccuracies.” The board is appealing a lower court decision that ordered it to keep the book in the libraries. ABFFE has filed two amicus briefs supporting the ACLU’s challenge to the ban.

ABFFE is a sponsor of Banned Books Week, the only national celebration of the freedom to read. ABFFE continued to expand the online resource manual it created last year to make it easier for booksellers to participate. Resources are available here.

ABFFE provides resources on free expression for booksellers, including a model statement to help booksellers proclaim their support for free speech and reader privacy. The statement entitled “To Our Customers” explains why booksellers believe it is important to carry a wide diversity of books, including works that some people may find offensive. It also promises customers that the bookstore will protect the privacy of their book purchases. “To Our Customers” is available in two versions here.           

ABFFE is prepared to assist you and your staff whenever you confront a First Amendment emergency, whether it is the result of a customer complaint or a police demand.  We operate a First Amendment hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  If you ever need an experienced First Amendment lawyer, we can help you find one.

ABFFE is the bookseller’s voice in all free speech controversies involving books and other written material.  We alerted booksellers to the dangers posed by the USA Patriot Act and helped them communicate their concerns to Congress.  We are also active on the local level. ABFFE opposes efforts to ban books in public schools and libraries and files amicus briefs in cases challenging school censorship.

ABFFE helps booksellers communicate the importance of free speech to their customers, building support for First Amendment rights that will be critically important when censorship controversies arise.  ABFFE is a sponsor of Banned Books Week, the only national celebration of the freedom to read.

ABFFE helps booksellers book speakers on important First Amendment issues.  More than 40 bookstores around the country have hosted prominent reporters who have discussed the importance of passing legislation to protect the confidentiality of news sources.

ABFFE also acts as the bookseller’s voice on important First Amendment issues that do not directly affect bookstores but involve defending the free speech rights of all Americans.  It recently filed an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case that could significantly restrict the free speech rights of students.
 

A ready-to-frame statement, “To Our Customers,” that booksellers can display in their stores, declaring their commitment to protect the First Amendment and privacy rights of their customers.

A FREADOM membership decal for a bookstore’s front window as well as a FREADOM pin.

The ABFFE handbook, Censorship and First Amendment Rights: A Primer, and our latest pamphlet, Protecting Customer Privacy in Bookstores.

ABFFE UPDATE, our monthly e-mail newsletter.