2016 Banned Books Week grants offered through Freedom to Read Foundation’s Krug Fund

For Immediate Release
Tue, 04/19/2016

Contact:

Kim Diehnelt

Acting Program Officer

Office for Intellectual Freedom

American Library Association

(312) 280-4226

kdiehnelt@ala.org

CHICAGO — For the seventh year, the Freedom to Read Foundation is offering grants to support a wide variety of engaging, provocative and fun events commemorating Banned Books Week.

Applications are open for the 2016 Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund Banned Books Week event grants, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF). Organizations are encouraged to apply for grants of $1,000 and/or $2,500 in support of activities celebrating Banned Books Week (Sept. 25–Oct. 1, 2016).

Applications for the grants will be accepted through May 15, 2016.

Organizations are required to submit an event description, timeline and budget with their application; they also will agree to provide a written report, photos and video from their event(s) to FTRF following Banned Books Week. Only not-for-profit organizations may apply, although they need not have official 501(c)3 status. Detailed grant guidelines are available on the application page.

The Freedom to Read Foundation is an official sponsor of Banned Books Week.  The theme for 2016 Banned Books Week is Diversity; however, applicants for Krug Fund grants are not required to include the theme in their planning. All ideas are welcome and encouraged!

Grants have been given to libraries, schools, universities and community groups. Photos of past projects are available on the FTRF's Facebook page and Flickr stream; more information about all the funded events can be found at www.ftrf.org/?Krug_BBW.

For more information on Banned Books Week, challenges to materials in libraries and schools and resources for combating censorship, visit FTRF's Banned Books Week page and ALA's page. A compendium of thousands of books that have been banned and challenged can be found in the "Banned Books Resource Guide," available through the ALA Store. You also can purchase Banned Books Week posters, buttons, bookmarks, t-shirts, bracelets and tote bags there.

If you have questions, please contact the Freedom to Read Foundation at ftrf@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, ext. 4226.

Judith F. Krug, FTRF’s first executive director, was one of the founders of Banned Books Week. After her death, the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund was established to guarantee that the message of Banned Books Week, and her passion for intellectual freedom education, would continue to spread and grow around the United States.  Click here to make a contribution to the Krug Fund in support of its ongoing work.