Freedom to Read Foundation

Books have been banned. Voices have been silenced.

This award celebrates those who refuse to let censorship win. Carrying her spirit forward, we celebrate champions of free expression🏆

Join us alongside @eleanorrooseveltcenter on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 7:00 PM EST

LITTLE V. LLANO COUNTY A three-judge Fifth Circuit panel affirmed that removal of books based on content was unconstitutional.

Texas residents sued after 17 books—many about LGBTQ+ identities, race, and sexual health—were pulled from public library shelves. A district court ordered the books restored, and a Fifth Circuit panel initially agreed that removing them violated the First Amendment. Part of the court went further, declaring that library collection decisions are “government speech” and not subject to review.

The dissent warned this decision undermines decades of precedent and opens the door to censorship in public libraries across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, with the case now potentially headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The First Amendment protects our right to read, learn, and access ideas without government censorship. When that right is weakened, we all lose. Follow the Freedom to Read Foundation for updates on Little v. Llano County.

This en banc decision ignores and upends long-standing precedent meant to safeguard a diversity of ideas in public institutions. For the people who rely on these books, this isn't abstract–it affects access, knowledge, and community.

#ConstitutionDay

This Suicide Prevention Month, let’s fight to ensure every young person can access the support, community, and information they deserve to not just survive, but thrive💜
#SuicidePreventionDay

600 typewriters. 21 cages. One message.

First shown on the site of the Nazi book burnings in Berlin, and now continuing its journey around the world.

Seen here at the ALA, the work reminds us: the fight for free expression is far from over.

#FreedomToRead #WritersBlock #SherylOring #Censorship

Happy 4th of July But what about the First Amendment?

The First Amendment is not a relic, it’s a responsibility. In times of political pressure, disinformation, and coordinated censorship, the freedom to read is more than a right—it’s a safeguard for democracy. The First Amendment protects not just speech, but access to diverse voices, stories, and truths that shape who we are and who we can become. At the Freedom to Read Foundation, we defend this right every day because without it, every library, classroom, and community is at risk.

At the Freedom to Read Foundation, we protect the First Amendment rights—because without access to knowledge, there is no informed public. And without an informed public, there is no democracy.

🇺🇸Defend the freedom to read.

#FreedomToRead #ReadFreely #BooksNotBans

The Nature Reader You read to reconnect—with the earth, with wonder, with stillness. You love lush descriptions, nature metaphors, and eco-fiction. Genre Faves: Nature writing, magical realism, fantasy. “Give me forests, storms, and stories that breathe.”

The Curiosity Reader You chase questions and marvels. From speculative sci-fi to myth retellings, you read to expand your imagination and stretch what’s possible. Genre Faves: Sci-fi, fantasy, mythology, graphic novels. “Books are spells. I cast one with every page.”

The Deep Diver Reader You crave depth. You love stories that explore the soul, challenge perspectives, and linger in your thoughts long after. Genre Faves: Literary fiction, philosophy, historical fiction. “I read to understand the world—and myself.”

What kind of reader are you? Celebrate Pride Month by discovering your reader identity—one color at a time! Swipe through and find your reader type.

The life reader You're all heart. You read to feel alive—romances that make your heart race, coming-of-age stories that mirror your soul, and narratives full of messy, beautiful humanity. Genre Faves: Contemporary fiction, romance, memoirs. “Give me characters who feel everything, just like me.”

The Healing Reader You find peace between pages. Books are your safe haven, your self-care toolkit. You love gentle reads, found-family arcs, and mental health journeys. Genre Faves: Cozy fantasy, slow-burn stories, self-help. “Books are where I go to breathe again.”

The Joy Reader Your reading taste is full of light and laughter. You gravitate toward feel-good stories, witty banter, and happy endings. You’re here for serotonin! Genre Faves: Rom-coms, humor, uplifting nonfiction. “If it doesn’t spark joy, I don’t finish it.”

Whatever reader you are, your story matters.
This Pride Month, read with pride. 🏳️‍🌈
Share your reader type your friends! 📚💬✨
#PrideReads #ReadWithPride

Since its debut, Writer’s Block has traveled to Berlin’s Jewish Museum, Budapest’s National Library, and the Boston Public Library—keeping the conversation alive. FTRF is a proud sponsor of this important art installation at #ALAAC25

Freedom of expression isn’t guaranteed. It’s defended.

This #Juneteenth, we lift our voices to defend the freedom to read, denounce censorship, and celebrate diverse literature.

Join us in sparking conversation!

📅 June 19 – Host or attend a Juneteenth Watch Party
📚 June 21 – Virtual Author Read-In | 12–2 PM EST

➡️ Details at ReadStrongAmerica.org

WE STAND PROUDLY WITH LEBTO+ READERS, AUTHORS, AND STORIES. At the Freedom to Read Foundation, we believe that everyone deserves access to books that reflect their identity, history, and truth. Join us in protecting the right to read for all.

This #PrideMonth, we honor the power of LGBTQ+ stories and fight back against the rising tide of book bans that aim to erase them.

🏳️‍🌈 At the Freedom to Read Foundation, we defend your right to find yourself in the pages—no matter who you are or who you love.

We’re proud to honor Skip Dye, SVP of Library Sales & Digital Strategy at Penguin Random House, with the 2025 FTRF Roll of Honor Award! Skip’s tireless advocacy fuels our fight against censorship.

#ReadingIsPower #BooksAreMagic #FreedomToRead

Leading with the freedom to read foundation and a calls to action June 5 2025 - Panelist highlight.

Joseph Earl Thomas is the author of Sink, a memoir, and the novel God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer, winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. His writing has been published in Harper’s, Vanity Fair, Dilettante Army, The Paris Review and elsewhere. Joseph teaches writing at Sarah Lawrence College, and courses in Black Studies, Poetics, Video Games, Queer Theory and more at The Brooklyn Institute for Social Research.

⭐️Panelist Spotlight:

Author of Sink and God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer—winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize—Joseph Earl Thomas brings bold storytelling and deep critical insight to this year’s FTRF Virtual President’s Program.

June 5 | 7–8:30 p.m. ET.
www.ftrf.org/news/701797/...

Leading with the Freedom to Read Foundation and a Call to Action June 5, 2025 | 7:00PM - 8:30PM ET Whether you’re a long-term member, or need an introduction to the Foundation, we’re excited to share the work of the Freedom to Read Foundation with you.

Join us June 5!
The Freedom to Read Foundation’s Virtual President’s Program is happening 7–8:30 p.m. ET.

Hear from President Sophia Sotilleo and others on defending the First Amendment and fighting censorship in 2025.

ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#freepeoplereadfreely

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is a bold, heartwarming reminder that stories—especially the ones someone tries to silence—have the power to change lives.

Have you read it yet? Tell us what you think! 👇
#ReadingIsPower #BooksAreMagic #FreedomToRead

ALA Denounces unlawful firing of U.S. Register of Copyrights, Dr. Shira Perlmutter. Show up for our libraries. American Library Association.

NEW: ALA denounces yesterday's unlawful firing of Dr. Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights at the Library of Congress.

Dr. Perlmutter has led the US Copyright Office with integrity, intelligence and an understanding of intellectual property issues. 1/2

Happy Mother's Day From the Freedom to Read Foundation

You fight for stories. You fight for truth. You fight for the right to read. Whether you're raising little readers, speaking up against censorship, or leading by example, your voice matters. A mother’s love is a story worth telling—and one that should never be silenced.

Happy Mother’s Day to the protectors of knowledge and the champions of free expression.

To the moms raising readers—and fighting book bans while they’re at it—thank you.
You protect more than stories. You protect the right to learn.

Happy Mother’s Day from FTRF. 💛📚
#MothersDay #FreedomToRead #MomsAgainstBookBans #FTRF

may 1st is national law day of action If you’re wondering when is a good time to take action, TODAY IS THE DAY

At noon local time on May 1, 2025, bar associations nationwide will host simultaneous rallies to stand up for these essential principles — not for political outcomes or candidates, but in defense of the fair, impartial administration of justice. These rallies will address the attack on the rule of law and the attack on lawyers, law firms and the profession, simply for performing the duty to defend even the most unpopular causes and clients.

This year, Law Day carries even greater urgency. Across the country, the rule of law, judicial independence, and the independence of the legal profession are under unprecedented attack. Lawyers and bar associations nationwide are standing together as part of the National Law Day of Action to defend our courts, protect our rights, and reaffirm that justice for all requires an independent legal system.

Take action today! Please show your support for our profession and our legal system of justice at the National Law Day of Action in your community. And bring a friend. https://lawdayofaction.org

Across the country, lawyers and communities are coming together for the National Law Day of Action to defend the rule of law, judicial independence, and the right to equal justice.

📍Find an opportunity near you to stand up for justice: lawdayofaction.org

#LawDay2025 #JusticeForAll #RuleOfLaw

We appreciate your support 🙌 @greenwell.bsky.social

This World Book Day, Don't Just Celebrate Books. Protect Them. Freedom to Read Foundation logo Support the right to read. Speak out against censorship. Defend the first Amendment.

The books someone didn’t want you to read are often the ones you’ll never forget. They’re bold, brilliant, funny, fierce — and totally worth flipping the page for.

So today, take a stand and share your stories oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edi...

#worldbookday2025 #ReadingIsPower

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BANNED ON THE RUN 5K Thanks to everyone who participated, sponsored an employee, donated to the overall campaign, or just helped us to spread the word. FREE PEOPLE READ FREELY

Huge thanks to everyone who participated in Banned Books on the Run. We couldn’t have done it without you 🫶

#ReadingIsPower #BooksAreMagic #FreedomToRead #ReadFreely #BooksNotBans #LetBooksBeBooks #RightToRead #BannedBooksWeek #UncensoredStories #ReadWithoutLimits #ProtectBooks #StoriesForAll

What it's REALLY like working in a library.
(🎶 "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?" 🎶)

#library #libraries #librarians #libsky #booksky #booktok #partofyourworld #musical #decorah #iowa

120+ bills that could affect budgets of public libraries

TAKE ACTION FOR LIBRARIES DAY More than 120 bills have been introduced in state legislatures that would either cut the budgets of public libraries or ban certain books or categories of books. There was a 92% increase in requests to ban books in public libraries over the last year.

TAKE ACTION FOR LIBRARIES DAY We encourage every library advocate to take action this National Library Week by telling Congress to protect federal support for libraries. https://ala.org/showup

Take Action for Libraries Today! 📣 Libraries empower communities, protect access to information, and open doors to opportunity. Your voice matters—stand up, speak out, and support your library. www.ala.org/showup

#TakeActionForLibraries

Diverse books inspire young readers to dream big by showing them role models from all backgrounds. #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay

CELEBRATE WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS DAY! #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay

Slide 1: Diverse books allow readers to see themselves reflected in stories, fostering confidence and belonging.

Slide 2: Reading about different cultures, identities, and experiences builds empathy and understanding.

Slide 3: Diverse books inspire young readers to dream big by showing them role models from all backgrounds.

Stories shape how we see the world—and ourselves. This We Need Diverse Books Day, we celebrate books that amplify voices from every background, identity, and experience. Let’s keep pushing for a literary world where everyone belongs. 📖💡 #WeNeedDiverseBooks

We appreciate your feedback and will be sure to implement this in our posts moving forward 😊

📚✨ No gatekeeping here! The Freedom to Read Foundation is on a mission to protect your right to read, think, and explore. #uniteagainstbookbans #readbannedbooks #bookbans #bannedbooks #stopbanningbooks #stopcensorship #FreedomToRead #StopCensorship #IntellectualFreedom #InclusiveLiterature

Show Up For Our Libraries - Tell Your Story Please share a story about how libraries have a positive impact in YOUR community. This might be a story about you or your family, or about other library users who have benefitted from the library&...

We Invite you to share your stories here: oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edi...

Our colleages released a statement calling on congress to stand up for the IMLS. We stand united against the Executive Order threatening IMLS funding and urge Congress to protect these essential services for all Americans. #ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries

What happens when libraries lose funding? Communities suffer. From job losses to reduced services for seniors and students, the impact is devastating. Swipe through to see why we must protect IMLS! ✊📖 #FundLibraries oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edi...

Your voice matters! Contact your representative today and tell Congress to fund IMLS and keep libraries open for students, seniors, job seekers, and everyone who relies on them. Click the link to take action now! oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edi...

#uniteagainstbookbans