Kiara Alfonseca writes: “The US Department of Education’s (DOE) Office for Civil Rights has announced that it is rescinding all past guidance issued against the removal of books and will no longer employ a coordinator to investigate instances of unlawful book removals. The department also announced that it has dismissed 11 book ban complaints and six pending complaints. According to the DOE, the complaints alleged that the removal of these books ‘created a hostile environment for students.’” DOE’s press release announcing these changes claimed it was “[Ending] Biden’s Book Ban Hoax.” ALA has issued a statement in protest.