[3] In the fall of 2021, TLA released a statement, "The Freedom to Read is a Right and Must Be Protected,"[4] to make it clear that TLA opposes efforts that restrict the freedom to read through banning, removing, or other forms of restricting access to books or other materials.

The controversy erupted after State Rep. Matt Krause, a Fort Worth Republican running for Texas attorney general, sent a letter to certain school districts with an 850-book list that included novels about racism and sexuality, asking the districts whether they had those books, how many copies they had and how much money was spent on them.

Governor Greg Abbott joined the fray, saying "A growing number of parents of Texas students are becoming increasingly alarmed about some of the books and other content found in public school libraries that are extremely inappropriate in the public education system.”[5] Texas Public Radio's "The Source," a live call-in program, featured TLA member Sara Stevenson and author Ashley Hope Pérez discussing the GOP-fueled fight over kid-appropriate library books.

And I feel like in most districts, their attorneys will probably say, ‘We cannot provide this information for you.’”[7] Several TLA members also launched the social media movement #FReadom, to celebrate diverse books and authors.

“We hope people realize they’re not alone—there are people and librarians fighting for students to have rights to literature and information.”[8] The Texas Library Association bestows a variety of awards, scholarships, and stipends to honor excellence in, and contributions to, the library profession.