Dictionaries and encyclopedias banned in Escambia County, Florida – Florida State line and Escambia County sign pictured – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Andriy Blokhin
According to reports, a school district in the panhandle of Florida removed several dictionaries and reference volumes from its library shelves because they contained references to “sexual conduct.”
Escambia County School District reportedly took out of its collection five different dictionaries, eight encyclopedias, and “The Guinness Book of World Records” after realizing the books would violate Florida’s HB 1069 bill, which prohibits the teaching of sexual themes in schools.
As per a statement released by PEN America, an advocacy group for free expression, the public school district removed 1,600 volumes from circulation last summer, including the novels in question.
Thurgood Marshall, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Oprah Winfrey are among the other decommissioned titles that feature biographies.
The Escambia County School District is currently being compelled to defend its decision in a court lawsuit, even though the books were initially removed during the district’s summer break in 2023.
In the lawsuit, which claims the district infringed upon the rights of the parties to free expression and equal protection under the law, PEN America joined forces with kids, parents, book publishers, and writers.
“School libraries are not state propaganda centers,” stated Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida chapter, in a news release before the case’s opening arguments on Wednesday.
The statement continued, “We will not watch as these vital spaces are compromised by political agendas and censorship.”
A spokesman for the Escambia County School District told The Messenger that it is incorrect to refer to the book deletions as a “ban.”
“The 1,000+ books they reference have not been banned or removed from the school district,” the spokesperson said. “Rather, they have simply been pulled for further review to ensure compliance with the new legislation. To suggest otherwise is disingenuous and counterproductive.”
Stories that matter are our priority. At Florida Insider, we make sure that the information we provide our readers is accurate, easy-to-read, and informative. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.