Across the country, dedicated organizations are working to protect the freedom to read. From national advocacy groups to local coalitions, these organizations provide legal support, educational resources, and grassroots organizing to combat book bans and censorship. Supporting their work—whether through financial contributions, volunteer time, or simply spreading the word—strengthens the collective effort to preserve intellectual freedom for all.
Every contribution matters. A small monthly donation, a few hours of volunteer time, or sharing an organization's message on social media can make a real difference in the fight against censorship.
National Organizations
These established national organizations lead the fight against book banning through advocacy, legal action, research, and public education.
American Library Association(ALA)
The oldest and largest library association in the world, representing libraries and library workers across all types of libraries.
Mission:
To provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and librarianship to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
How to volunteer:
Join your state library association, participate in Banned Books Week events, or volunteer with the Office for Intellectual Freedom initiatives.
National Coalition Against Censorship(NCAC)
An alliance of more than 50 national nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting free expression and access to information.
Mission:
To promote freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression and oppose censorship in all its forms.
How to volunteer:
Sign up for action alerts, share resources with your community, or become a Kids' Right to Read Project volunteer to help respond to book challenges.
PEN America(PEN)
A nonprofit organization that stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide.
Mission:
To ensure that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, to convey information and ideas, to express their views, and to access the views, ideas, and literatures of others.
How to volunteer:
Attend PEN events, participate in letter-writing campaigns for imprisoned writers, or volunteer at the PEN World Voices Festival.
American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU)
The nation's premier defender of civil liberties, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect constitutional rights.
Mission:
To defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
How to volunteer:
Join your local ACLU affiliate, participate in People Power volunteer actions, or become a legal observer at protests.
EveryLibrary(EveryLibrary)
The first and only national organization dedicated to building voter support for libraries through political action.
Mission:
To build powerful libraries by creating voter support and political will for libraries.
How to volunteer:
Help with local library campaigns, share library advocacy content on social media, or volunteer for phone banking during library elections.
Freedom to Read Foundation(FTRF)
A nonprofit legal organization affiliated with ALA that defends the freedom to read through the First Amendment.
Mission:
To promote and protect the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, with particular emphasis on access to library materials.
How to volunteer:
Become a member, attend the annual membership meeting, or participate in state chapter activities.
Unite Against Book Bans
A national campaign bringing together readers, authors, librarians, and advocates to fight book censorship.
Mission:
To build a network of readers and advocates to fight censorship and protect the freedom to read.
How to volunteer:
Sign up as a reader advocate, attend virtual trainings, use the advocacy toolkit to fight local book bans, or organize a Unite Against Book Bans event in your community.
Authors Guild
The nation's oldest and largest professional organization for writers, advocating for authors' rights and free expression.
Mission:
To support working writers through advocacy, education, and community.
How to volunteer:
Author members can participate in school visits to discuss banned books, contribute to advocacy campaigns, or mentor emerging writers.
How to Donate or Volunteer
There are many ways to contribute to these organizations. Here are the most common options and how to get started.
Donation Options
One-time donations
Visit any organization's website and look for a "Donate" or "Give" button. Most accept credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers.
Monthly giving
Recurring donations provide stable funding. Many organizations offer monthly giving programs with special recognition or benefits for sustaining donors.
Workplace giving
Many employers match charitable donations. Check if your company has a matching program—your gift could be doubled.
Planned giving
Include an organization in your will or estate plan. Contact the organization directly for information about legacy giving programs.
Volunteer Opportunities
Local chapter involvement
Many national organizations have state or regional chapters. Join local meetings, help organize events, or take on leadership roles.
Event support
Help with Banned Books Week celebrations, author readings, or community forums. Event volunteers are always in demand.
Professional skills
Offer your professional expertise—lawyers, graphic designers, writers, social media managers, and others have valuable skills organizations need.
Advocacy training
Attend training sessions to become an effective advocate. Many organizations offer free virtual trainings on how to respond to book challenges.
Local & Regional Organizations
Local and regional organizations often have the most direct impact on book access in your community. These groups work on the ground where book challenges actually happen.
Texas Freedom to Read Coalition
TexasA coalition of librarians, educators, parents, and community members fighting censorship in Texas schools and libraries.
Focus: School library challenges, state legislation
Florida Freedom to Read Project
FloridaAdvocates for the freedom to read and against book censorship in Florida schools and public libraries.
Focus: State legislation, school board advocacy
Missouri Library Association
MissouriThe state professional association supporting libraries and opposing censorship efforts throughout Missouri.
Focus: Library funding, intellectual freedom
Pennsylvania Center for the Book
PennsylvaniaPromotes literacy, libraries, and the literary heritage of Pennsylvania while defending the freedom to read.
Focus: Literary programs, reading advocacy
Find Organizations in Your State
Beyond these examples, almost every state has organizations working on intellectual freedom issues. Here's how to find them:
- Search for your state library association—most have intellectual freedom committees
- Check if your state has an ACLU affiliate that focuses on book access issues
- Look for local chapters of national organizations like PEN or NCAC
- Search "[your state] freedom to read" or "[your state] against book bans"
- Ask your local librarian about groups working on intellectual freedom in your area
Support Without Donating Money
Financial contributions are valuable, but there are many ways to support the fight against book bans without spending money. Your time, voice, and actions can be just as impactful.
Amplify Their Message
Help organizations reach more people by sharing their content.
- Follow organizations on social media
- Share posts about book banning and censorship
- Retweet action alerts and advocacy campaigns
- Write reviews of banned books on Goodreads
- Talk about these issues with friends and family
Use Your Voice
Speak up in your community against book bans.
- Attend school board meetings
- Write letters to the editor
- Contact your elected representatives
- Testify at public hearings
- Submit op-eds to local newspapers
Read and Share Banned Books
The simplest act of resistance is reading the books others want to ban.
- Check out banned books from your library
- Start or join a banned book club
- Request banned books if your library doesn't have them
- Give banned books as gifts
- Read banned books to children (age-appropriate)
Support Your Local Library
Libraries are on the front lines of the fight against censorship.
- Get a library card and use it regularly
- Attend library programs and events
- Speak at library board meetings
- Vote in library board elections
- Thank librarians for their work
Educate Yourself and Others
Knowledge is the foundation of effective advocacy.
- Learn about First Amendment rights
- Understand how book challenges work
- Stay informed about local and state legislation
- Share educational resources with your community
- Correct misinformation about banned books
Take Political Action
Support candidates and policies that protect intellectual freedom.
- Vote for school board candidates who oppose censorship
- Research candidates' positions on library funding
- Sign petitions supporting the freedom to read
- Contact legislators about anti-censorship bills
- Register to vote and encourage others to do the same
Every Action Counts
The fight against book banning isn't won by any single organization or individual—it's a collective effort. Whether you donate $5, spend an hour at a school board meeting, or simply check out a banned book from your library, you're contributing to a movement that protects everyone's right to read. Find the organizations and actions that resonate with you, and know that your support matters.