Faith leaders, librarians convene in Chicago to strengthen fight against book bans

Faith for Libraries bootcamp equipped attendees to build local partnerships defending libraries, librarians and the freedom to read

CHICAGO — Faith leaders, librarians and civic advocates gathered in Chicago on Thursday for a workshop focused on how religious communities and library workers can work together to fight book bans and defend the freedom to read.

The Faith for Libraries Bootcamp, part of the American Library Association (ALA) 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition, brought together participants at the Marriott Marquis Chicago to examine how religion is being invoked to justify censorship and develop practical strategies for building partnerships between libraries and local faith communities.

ALA President Sam Helmick said, "When we defend the freedom to read, we are honoring the very same principle of liberty that protects the freedom of faith. Both the library and the house of worship are spaces built on the sacred act of seeking. We welcome people who are looking for answers and trying to understand their place in the world. We both practice a form of radical belonging, insisting that every person who enters our spaces is worthy of dignity, safety, and respect, and underneath these shared values lies the bedrock of our civil society: the First Amendment. "

The event began with a panel discussion exploring why book bans threaten both intellectual and religious freedom and how censorship campaigns affect books representing diverse faiths and identities. Moderated by the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, the panel included Qiana M. Johnson, associate dean of libraries for collections and content strategies at Dartmouth Librariesthe; Rev. Dr. Velda Love, minister for racial justice at the United Church of Christ; Rabba Rori Picker Neiss, Orthodox rabbi and Senior Vice President and Rabbi in Residence at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs; and Sherry Scheline, president of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. 

“The religious right often invokes faith to justify book bans, but there’s nothing sacred about censorship,” said Rev. Raushenbush. “Faith communities know that libraries are vital civic spaces, where people of every belief and background can encounter new ideas and meet new people. By standing with librarians, people of faith can help protect the freedom to read and ensure our libraries remain open, welcoming places for all.”

Representatives from three state library associations, local libraries and supporting faith groups shared ways faith leaders and librarians are organizing together in their communities:

• Interfaith Alliance of Arkansas and Arkansas Library Association 

• Indiana Faith Voices for Justice and Crown Point Community Library

• Interfaith Alliance of Peoria, Illinois, and Peoria Public Library 

Presenters and event sponsors provided guidance and tools to help participants build relationships, mobilize supporters and advocate for libraries facing censorship efforts.

The workshop is the latest undertaking of Faith for Libraries: Diverse Faith Communities Supporting Libraries and Librarians, a partnership between ALA, Interfaith Alliance, Unite Against Book Bans and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. The campaign challenges the false perception that libraries and religious communities are inherently at odds and emphasizes the critical role people of faith can play in defending libraries and librarians. Faith for Libraries launched in November 2025 to formalize and expand the organizations’ work defending libraries from censorship. The campaign includes a pledge for people of faith to defend the freedom to read, resources for houses of worship to support local librarians and opportunities for faith and library leaders to build sustained partnerships.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For nearly 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit ala.org.

About Interfaith Alliance

Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information, visit interfaithalliance.org.