The American Library Association marks Banned Books Week next week — but it’s already stirring up controversy and confusion in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The library association uses the week to celebrate freedom to read and to talk about attempts to censor books. But at a time when parents’ rights groups across the country are asking that books be removed or restricted, CMS Communications Chief Shayla Cannady sent mixed messages to schools about how to handle the observation.

Cannady sent a memo to principals Friday asking them to cancel all events and messages associated with Banned Books Week, adding that such activities could violate North Carolina’s new parents’ bill of rights.

A few hours later, after schools had dismissed, Cannady emailed principals saying it’s up to them to decide how to handle it, adding that “it is not a violation or in any way associated with Parents Bill of Rights.”