ABFFE and Wilkie News, a Dayton bookstore, have joined a lawsuit that seeks to overturn a new Ohio law banning the sale to minors of a broad range of books that are protected by the First Amendment, including any work that makes repeated use of "foul language" or "glamorizes" illegal activity. The law reenacts a definition of the term "harmful to minors" that is clearly unconstitutional under current U.S. Supreme Court standards. In addition, it extends this antiquated definition to the Internet, banning the display of "harmful" material on Web sites. ABFFE and other members of Media Coalition, including the Association of American Publishers and the Freedom to Read Foundation, have successfully challenged similar Internet censorship laws in Vermont, Arizona, New York, New Mexico and Michigan. The Ohio law is even more vulnerable than these laws because of its broad definition of "harmful to minors." For more information, see "Bookselling This Week".

Booksellers at this month's BookExpo America in New York repeatedly cheered mention of the Tattered Cover Book Store's important victory in the Colorado Supreme Court. To help booksellers celebrate this victory, ABFFE is selling a poster and a T-shirt based on an editorial cartoon that appeared in the Denver Post following the announcement of the Supreme Court's decision in April. Mike Keefe's cartoon shows a suspect being read his "Meskis rights" by a police officer: "You have the right to read...You have the right to buy books privately..." T-shirts are $15. Posters are $7. The T-shirt and poster can be ordered together for $20. To view them, go the the ABFFE Web site, www.abffe.com, and click on "ABFFE Store." Both items are listed in the Tattered Cover section of the store. Show your support for customer privacy by ordering a shirt or poster today!

ABFFE, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers are finalizing plans for this year's celebration of Banned Books Week, which is scheduled for Sept. 21-28. Banned Books Week is the only national event that highlights the importance of free expression. Last year's celebration assumed a special urgency in the wake of attacks by terrorists who are deeply hostile to the idea of free speech. Nor has it lost any relevance in the succeeding months as concern has mounted over the danger that government will attempt to limit First Amendment rights in its fight against terrorism.

Again this year, ABFFE will support Banned Books Week by distributing a promotional kit free to all members of the American Booksellers Association. This year's slogan -- "Let Freedom Read: Read a Banned Book" -- is displayed on posters that feature adult, young adult and children's books that have been challenged. In addition to the three posters, the kit includes a list of the books that have been challenged over the last year. It will also include a copy of ABFFE's "Burning Books" poster. (The resource manual that is normally part of the kit is being omitted this year. A new one will not be published in 2004. However, it is still possible to order last year's manual separately.)

ABFFE is now accepting orders for Banned Books Week kits. (The kit is sent automatically to ABFFE members.) To order a kit now, go to the ABFFE Web site, www.abffe.com, and click on "ABFFE Store." Use the "Banned Books Week" link in the store to review this year's kit.