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About Us

The Freedom to Read Project exists to develop education and research materials to help limit book bans and education censorship across the country. We support robust, content-rich classroom, school, and public libraries and oppose the removal of books based on ideological, partisan, or religious reasons.

Donate To Fight Book Bans in the United States

Donate To Fight Book Bans in the United States. The Freedom to Read Project is a 501(c)(3) organization that advocates to protect student access to information and books in our public schools and communities.

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Keeping Up and Checking In

Speaking Up for the Right to Read: How to Craft School Board Speeches That Make an Impact in 30 Seconds to 3 Minutes

June 19, 2025

In the growing fight against book censorship, one of the most effective ways to advocate for intellectual freedom is to speak directly to your local school board. These public meetings offer a critical opportunity to remind decision-makers of their responsibility to uphold the First Amendment, follow proper policies, and ensure that all students have access to a deep variety of literature curated by trained professionals.

Talking to Your Friends About Book Censorship: Why It Matters and How to Do It

June 11, 2025

You’re at a dinner party, scrolling through the news together, or watching your kids play at the park and someone brings up “that one book” being pulled from school libraries. Maybe they say it’s inappropriate. Maybe they cheer the removal. Or maybe they just shrug and ask, “What’s the big deal?”

Parental Rights vs. Public Access: How Small Groups Are Reshaping Florida’s Public Libraries

June 04, 2025

In recent years, Florida has witnessed a surge in debates surrounding parental rights and public access to information, particularly within its public library systems. While parental involvement in their children’s education should be encouraged, the actions of a vocal minority are increasingly influencing public library policies, leading to concerns about censorship and the erosion of intellectual freedom.

Being Banned Is Not a Badge of Honor: The Real Costs of Censorship for Authors and Books

May 27, 2025

In today’s climate, it’s become increasingly common to see banned books make headlines. A growing number of titles are being pulled from school and public library shelves, challenged in classrooms, and targeted in political debates. And often, in response to this harmful trend, well-meaning allies and supporters will tell authors, "Congratulations! You’ve been banned. That means your book is important."

Unprecedented Control: How States Are Seizing Power Over Local Book Decisions

May 21, 2025

Across the United States, a fundamental shift is underway in how school library collections are curated, and not for the better. Traditionally, decisions about which books belong in a school library were made locally, guided by the expertise of professional educators and librarians in collaboration with the communities they serve. But today, state governments are asserting unprecedented control, bypassing local input to impose top-down mandates about what students are allowed, or forbidden, to read.

Weaponized Fear: How Government-Sanctioned Scare Tactics Are Silencing Readers and Educators

May 16, 2025

In the past few years, censorship in the United States has moved beyond book bans and challenges. Today, we are witnessing a much broader campaign of intimidation. Government bodies at every level are adopting scare tactics to pressure schools, libraries, and educators into preemptive self-censorship. The result is a chilling effect that stifles free expression, narrows the scope of ideas accessible to the public, and punishes those who resist.

Consumer Activism in the Age of Book Bans

May 12, 2025

In recent years, the rise in book bans across the United States has sparked growing concern among educators, librarians, authors, and readers. While the movement to censor books often claims to protect children, the actual impact is much broader and more damaging. Banned books—many of which center voices from marginalized communities—are being pulled from school and public library shelves in staggering numbers, making it increasingly difficult for readers to access diverse, thought-provoking literature.

Grassroots Power: Fighting Censorship in Red States

April 30, 2025

Across the country, battles over the right to read are being waged at school boards, in libraries, and in legislatures. Nowhere are these battles more intense than in states dominated by single-party control—places where political power can amend laws quickly, leaving little room for resistance. Yet even in these red states, courageous grassroots groups are showing that people power can still move the needle.

From Protecting Children to Silencing Adults: The Expanding Reach of Censorship in America​

April 24, 2025

What began as a movement to shield children from “inappropriate” content has evolved into a sweeping campaign that now restricts access to literature for adults, including those in esteemed institutions like the U.S. Naval Academy. This shift raises profound concerns about intellectual freedom and the role of libraries in a democratic society.​

How to Craft a Successful Petition to Fight Book Bans and Defend Intellectual Freedom

April 17, 2025

Across the country, communities are rising up against censorship, standing firm in their belief that students and library users deserve access to a deep variety of books and ideas. As more school boards, libraries, and lawmakers push policies that restrict intellectual freedom, everyday people—parents, educators, students, and neighbors—are stepping up to organize. One of the most powerful grassroots tools in your advocacy toolkit? A well-crafted petition.
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