Bad-news fatigue is real for library advocates who feel like every year is more hostile than the one before it. Since about 2021, coordinated groups of parents and elected officials, with support from well-funded networks, have increasingly pushed to outsource librarians’ curatorial authority through parental consent policies and external review boards, all to exert greater control over what books are available on library shelves. It’s a lot to take in. But in 2025, there were notable examples of voters, courts, and candidates across the country affirming the profession’s core values of intellectual freedom and inclusive access. Below we highlight five recent victories for libraries, library workers, and their communities. ### 1. California voters rein in city council overreach Huntington Beach, California, has become a flashpoint in national conversations about partisan political encroachment in city governance.…