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Freedom to Read Foundation

Free People Read Freely ®

1969-2009: Celebrating 40 Years of FREEDOM

Help the Freedom to Read Foundation kick off our 40th year at FTRF's Fourth Annual Author Event, featuring frequently challenged YA author, Lauren Myracle, at the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver on January 25. Tickets are on sale now--space is limited. Co-sponsored by the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation and the Tattered Cover.

And then, on July 12, join FTRF as we honor four decades of protecting the freedom to read at a GALA DINNER AND CELEBRATIONat the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago on July 12. Tickets go on sale January 2. For sponsorship opportunities and additional information, visit our FTRF 40th Anniversary Gala page.

About FTRF

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees all individuals the right to express their ideas without governmental interference, and to read and listen to the ideas of others. The Freedom to Read Foundation was established to promote and defend this right; to foster libraries and institutions wherein every individual’s First Amendment freedoms are fulfilled; and to support the right of libraries to include in their collections and make available any work which they may legally acquire.

FTRF was incorporated in December of 1969. Its charter lists four purposes:

  • Promoting and protecting the freedom of speech and of the press;
  • Protecting the public's right of access to information and materials stored in the nation's libraries;
  • Safeguarding libraries' right to disseminate all materials contained in their collections; and
  • Supporting libraries and librarians in their defense of First Amendment rights by supplying them with legal counsel or the means to secure it.

The Foundation's work has been divided into two primary activities:

  • The allocation and disbursement of grants to individuals and groups primarily for the purpose of aiding them in litigation;
  • Direct participation in litigation dealing with freedom of speech and of the press.

The Freedom to Read Foundation is a separate corporation from the American Library Association, working in close liaison with the ALA. The secretariat is located in the Office for Intellectual Freedom, ALA Headquarters.

Membership to the Freedom to Read Foundation is separate from ALA membership. To join FTRF, renew your membership, or make a donation to support the work of FTRF, click here.

        News

        Tickets on sale now for FTRF's 4th Annual Author Event, January 25, 2009. Featuring banned YA author Lauren Myracle.

        FTRF to hold 40th Anniversary Gala, July 12, 2009, at new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.

        Visit the Office for Intellectual Freedom blog for news and program updates!

        OIF Blog headlines:

        FTRF Updates:

        Click here for past FTRF Updates

        Freedom to Read Foundation News back issues and subscription information

        FTRF in action

        Roll of Honor Award

        Gordon M. Conable Memorial Fund and Conference Scholarship|Frank Zappa Memorial Fund|Carol Nemeyer Memorial Fund

        Status of Recent Cases

        Legislative Updates (Media Coalition)

        Organization

        Roster

        Timeline

        Special Highlights

        Join the Freedom to Read Foundation |Renew Your Membership|Make a Donation

        GiveDirecto logo

        Using a credit card? Just click on the orange "GiveDirect" button above to access the Independent Charities of America site and join/renew/make a donation to support the work of the Freedom to Read Foundation. Note: your credit card statement will read "GIVEDIRECT,"not Freedom to Read Foundation.

        Other Links

        Join the FTRF Facebook Cause
        LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund is devoted to the support, maintenance, medical care, and welfare of librarians who are facing employment difficulties based on their support for intellectual freedom or due to discrimination.
        Lawyers for Librariesis an ongoing project of the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom, designed to create a network of attorneys around the country involved in, or committed to becoming involved in, the defense of the First Amendment freedom to read and the application of constitutional law to library policies, principles, and problems.

        FTRF Staff Liaisons to the Freedom to Read Foundation

        Freedom to Read Foundation
        50 East Huron Street
        Chicago, IL 60611
        Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4226
        Fax: 312-280-4227
        ftrf@ala.org; http://www.ftrf.org/

        Judith F. Krug
        Secretary and Executive Director
        Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4222
        Fax: 312-280-4227
        jkrug@ala.org

        Deborah Caldwell-Stone
        Deputy Director
        Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4224
        Fax: 312-280-4227
        dstone@ala.org

        Jonathan Kelley
        Program Coordinator
        Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4226
        Fax: 312-280-4227
        jokelley@ala.org

        Mail comments on FTRF Web site to jokelley@ala.org

        Links to non-ALA sites have been provided because these sites may have information of interest. Neither the American Library Association nor the Freedom to Read Foundation necessarily endorses the views expressed or the facts presented on these sites; and furthermore, ALA and FTRF do not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or available on these sites.