Right to Read: Q&A with North Dakota Authors Welcome to the final installment of our Q&A author blog series, where we feature North Dakota authors who are speaking out against censorship and book bans. Special thanks to Cori Edgerton for her work on producing this series!This week, we conclude the series with acclaimed novelist Larry Watson. We asked him to share his perspective on the current climate of censorship and what we can all do to support the right to read. 1. What are your thoughts on the growing number of book bans and challenges across the country? I'm distressed about it. It's one thing to find something in a book with which one disagrees, or is, for one reason or another, not to one's personal taste. It's quite another to mount an effort to prevent others from reading that book. To make the matter even worse, I have the impression that opposition to a book often comes from people who haven't even read the book, yet have formed an opinion on its contents.

The Freedom to Read: Q&A with North Dakota Author Sarah Vogel Welcome back to our Q&A series, which shines a spotlight on North Dakota authors and their views on the current wave of book challenges and bans. This week, we are honored to feature Sarah Vogel, a trailblazing attorney and author. We asked her to share her perspective on the current climate of censorship and what we can all do to support the right to read.1. What are your thoughts on the growing number of book bans and challenges across the country? The growing number of book bans across the US is troubling. Limiting access to diverse stories and perspectives undermines intellectual freedom and the critical thinking skills needed in a democratic society. I think it is appropriate for parents and librarians to work together to tailor children's reading to age-appropriate books and literature. But sometimes book bans are used as a blunt instrument by non-parents and non-librarians for purposes that have little to do with reading and thinking. In a healthy democracy, access to a wide range of ideas is essential for informed citizenship and meaningful public discourse.

The Freedom to Read: Q&A with North Dakota Author Taylor Brorby In North Dakota and across the country, a growing number of books are being challenged or banned from school and public libraries. These efforts, often driven by a vocal minority, threaten the fundamental right to read and access information. In this Q&A series, we feature four North Dakota authors who have joined the conversation about censorship, book challenges, and the importance of intellectual freedom. This week, we feature Taylor Brorby. We asked him to share his perspective on the current climate and what we can all do to support the right to read. 1. What are your thoughts on the growing number of book bans and challenges across the country? Insanity. This crusade is led by dangerous buffoons. Yes, they don't read books, but they *do* acknowledge that books have power–that's why they're so hellbent on promoting censorship and removing books from library collections. Like any schoolyard bully, they lead with intimidation, which can have a reactionary effect: libraries buying fewer of the books they need to be carrying in their collection to represent the variety of human (and nonhuman) experience.

In North Dakota and across the country, a growing number of books are being challenged or banned from school and public libraries. These efforts, often driven by a vocal minority, threaten the fundamental right to read and access information. In this Q&A series, we feature four North Dakota authors who have joined the conversation about censorship, book challenges, and the importance of intellectual freedom. First up, Jennie Shortridge, a bestselling novelist with deep roots in North Dakota. We asked her to share her perspective on the current climate of censorship and what we can all do to support the right to read. 1. What are your thoughts on the growing number of book bans and challenges across the country? It's an alarming symptom of the authoritarian power grab we're experiencing in this country. As every American knows in their heart, we are a nation founded, nurtured, and established on the principle that what we say and what we read or write shall not be decided by our governmental leaders. And we have the right not to listen to or read or allow our children to read or listen to whatever we don't want to, or want them to. It's what always made us a free society, and we're in serious danger of losing our freedoms. If you look at other regimes that came for free speech and books, trying to eradicate them, you will find only the long-established enemies of America and her people.

Guest column by Gail Reiten, Right to Read ND's 2025 Advocacy ChairWhat does the Right to Read mean to me? It means that I can go to the library and find many choices... 

On June 14, Governor Armstrong was censured by state leaders of the ND Republican Party—his own political party—for vetoing Senate Bill 2307, the recent book ban bill. This censure means bills like SB 2307 are not done and our work at Right to Read ND must continue in earnest.

Libraries provide many free and accessible resources to their communities that promote lifelong learning and skill-building. The North Dakota State Library offers books, research databases, and programs for all ages—but that’s just the beginning. They also provide access to a free digital learning platform called Niche Academy. Here’s what you should know about Niche Academy and how the NDSL promotes free education.

Have you ever heard someone talking about a book being "moved" in the library? Sometimes, books are moved from their original section to another, such as when children's and young adult books are relocated to the adult section. This can make people wonder if it's fair, or if it's a type of censorship.Censorship is the suppression of speech, ideas, or information that a particular person or group finds objectionable. It involves the power to restrict access to certain materials, often based on subjective moral or political viewpoints. Censorship can happen in different ways, like taking a book off the shelves completely or making it so only certain people can read it.

Right to Read North Dakota applauds Governor Kelly Armstrong for vetoing Senate Bill 2307 and the North Dakota Senate for sustaining his veto today, finally putting an end to this unnecessary, unworkable, and unconstitutional bill.

This law would criminalize librarians, expand state control over local libraries, and cost taxpayers millions.