Champions of the Freedom to Read: Organizations You Should Know

Book bans impact everyone, and it’s vitally important that we work together as a bookish community to fight against them. In the past, we’ve shared information on what book bans are and why readers should be paying attention to them. Now we want to offer you even more resources to turn to when joining the fight for the freedom to read.

Below you’ll find organizations to support, resources for everyone from librarians and booksellers on the front lines to everyday readers, reliable news sources, and more. This is a nonexhaustive list, and we encourage you to share any resources you support in the comments!

Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week is an annual event that began in 1982 to draw attention to the growing problem of book bans. Each year, they focus on a timely theme for the week and encourage readers to learn more about censorship and take action in their communities. This year, Banned Books Week is from October 5 – 11, and the theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” When you visit their site, make sure to read up on Let Freedom Read Day (October 11) as well!

BookRiot’s Censorship News
Kelly Jensen’s reporting for BookRiot on book bans is an unmissable resource for anyone wanting to stay informed on the state of censorship in America. 

Unite Against Book Bans
Unite Against Book Bans is the American Library Association’s initiative to give the public the tools they need to advocate for the freedom to read. Their website shares book ban data, toolkits that explain how to talk about book bans, and Book Résumés (to help community members defend challenged books). 

PEN America
PEN America is an organization that focuses on the intersection of literature and human rights. They’ve been tracking book ban data since 2021 and have a wealth of information about literary censorship—everything from news articles to research and recent stats.

Authors Against Book Bans
This group brings together writers, illustrators, and other book creators. Through state chapters, they aim to organize on both a local and national level to help spread information about book bans and what to do about them. Book creators can become members, and readers can follow AABB on social media to learn about helpful action items they can take.

We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books does incredible work towards creating a world where all readers can see themselves reflected in the books they read. Their website includes a resources page on how to address book challenges (broken into sections for librarians, teachers, and parents & allies). WNDB also offers the Books Save Lives Grant, which benefits educators and students impacted by book bans. 

Little Free Library’s Book Ban Map
Little Free Library, everyone’s favorite neighborhood fixture, has an interactive map that shows the areas hit hardest by book bans and the nearest Little Free Libraries where you can donate banned books.

National Coalition Against Censorship
Formed in 1973 by American Civil Liberties Union activists, the NCAC strives to protect citizens’ rights under the First Amendment. On their website, they have guides for fighting back against book bans for educators, parents, students, as well as authors.

We Are Stronger Than Censorship
This organization is a collaboration between the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and EveryLibrary Institute. Their goal is to donate challenged or banned books to regional partners—such as the Texas Freedom to Read Project—to ensure books are getting into the hands of kids who need them. You can support their efforts by donating today.

Local organizations
One of the most impactful things you can do is look at what organizations already exist within your town, county, or state. Places such as the Florida Freedom to Read Project are doing amazing work to protect students’ access to books in their schools, libraries, and communities, while the Texas FReadom Fighters is a librarian-led group advocating for intellectual freedom.

Check out more of our banned book resources here!