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:
- FTRF honors Carol Nemeyer with memorial fund
- Burton Joseph named 2008 FTRF Roll of Honor Award recipient
- FTRF Trustee 2008 Election Results Announced
- Audio of FTRF program with Anthony Lewis at 2008 Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, PA at the National Constitution Center. Moderated by FTRF Trustee Chris Finan, Lewis discusses his career as a journalist covering free speech issues and talks about his book, Freedom for the Thought We Hate: A Biography of the First Amedment.
Click here for past FTRF Updates
Freedom to Read Foundation News back issues and subscription information
FTRF in action
Gordon M. Conable Memorial Fund and Conference Scholarship|Frank Zappa Memorial Fund|Carol Nemeyer Memorial Fund
Legislative Updates (Media Coalition)
Organization
Special Highlights
Join the Freedom to Read Foundation |Renew Your Membership|Make a Donation
Other Links
See Theresa Chmara video on FTRF cases from 2007 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The program is entitled "Status of Recent Litigation Affecting Libraries."
Lucille C. Thomas named 2007 FTRF Roll of Honor Award recipient
FTRF Trustee 2007 Election Results Announced
Enjoy the podcast from an evening with teacher, family therapist, and award-winning author Chris Crutcher at the 2007 Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, Sunday, January 21. Experience Crutcher at his very best as he recounts stories related to his popular novels! (See Chris Crutcher for FTRF.)
Carolyn Caywood named 2006 FTRF Roll of Honor Award recipient
FTRF Trustee 2006 Election Results Announced
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