Freedom to Read Foundation

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/affiliates/relatedgroups/freedomtoreadfoundation/index.cfm

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 Logo Red Flame

Freedom to Read Foundation

Free People Read Freely ®

1969-2009: Celebrating 40 Years of FREEDOM

Judith Krug with Judy Blume

Judith Krug with Judy Blume, 2008 Banned Books Week Read-Out! Chicago

In Memoriam

Judith Krug, executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation since its founding in 1969, passed away on April 11, 2009. Her achievements in the fight against censorship were unparalleled.

For more on her life and accomplishments, click here.  To read how her friends, colleagues, and co-workers have paid tribute to her, click hereView a tribute video here.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Freedom to Read Foundation, 50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611

To donate online, visit https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=811. Specify Judith Krug Memorial in "tribute" section.

 

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:

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

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

Groundbreaking children's authors headline FTRF/GLBTRT Boston Event

FREE FTRF memberships to new LIS grads

On July 12, FTRF celebrated four decades of protecting the freedom to read at a GALA DINNER AND CELEBRATION at the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Video at http://blip.tv/file/2630774 and photo slideshow at http://www.ftrf.org/ftrfgala!

Check out the 40th Anniversary Gala program book.

3/4/2009: FTRF protests Topeka, Kans., sex ed book removals

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

To join FTRF, renew your membership, or make a donation, click on the orange "GiveDirect" button above to access FTRF's online contribution/membership form.  Note: The Freedom to Read Foundation uses a third-party vendor to process credit card transactions.  Your credit card statement will read "GIVEDIRECT," not Freedom to Read Foundation.
 
FTRF Personal Member Brochure(PDF) |  FTRF Organizational Member Brochure(PDF)
 
Carolyn Forsman Jewelry (artist donating percentage of sales to FTRF)

Other Links

Join the FTRF Facebook Cause
 
ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
 
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 Libraries is 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 Updates 2005-2008

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.

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

David Cohen named 2005 FTRF Roll of Honor Award recipient

FTRF Trustee 2005 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/

Deborah Caldwell-Stone
Acting Executive Director and Secretary
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.