Defending the Freedom to Read 101

Defending the Freedom to Read 101

A Workshop Series for Organizers and Authors

A collage with a bookshelf of books in grayscale, protest signs reading Education is Not Indoctrination, Reverse the Ban, Dont Marginalize Minority Students, and two hands opening a book with a large red cursor hovering over it.

Across the country, in schools, libraries, and even online, the freedom to read is under attack. The fight against book bans brings together a coalition of authors, students, educators, librarians, community members, and concerned readers. This workshop series is shaped by conversations with these authors and grassroots advocates on the frontlines.

These sessions will provide practical strategies for addressing common issues including disinformation, digital safety and privacy, how to get started organizing, engaging local elected officials, and more. Participants will gain skills and tools for navigating legal uncertainty, assessing risk for in-person author events and advocacy actions, preparing for public statements online, and more. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas. Come and join us as we work to foster a stronger movementโ€”together.

Workshops

Related Resources

Black and white image showing a megaphone and a hand writing with a pen on lined paper. The text reads: Trusted Messenger Guidebook.

Trusted Messenger Guidebook

This guide is designed to help empower you to have difficult conversations with your friends and family who may be falling prey to disinformation, whatever its topic.


Digital Safety Snacks

These step-by-step videos will help you defend yourself against online abuse. They explain how to protect your most sensitive accounts from hackers and how to dox yourself before someone else does.


Book Ban Resources

PEN America has documented more than 10,000 instances of book bans since the fall of 2021. Whether youโ€™re a teacher, a librarian, a parent, a student, an author or a concerned citizen, these resources will help you join in the fight against censorship.

Participating Organizations

Logo of the American Booksellers Association, featuring ABA with a stylized open book below, accompanied by the full organization name.
Logo of the American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) featuring abfe in red lowercase inside a blue circle. Below, a blue ribbon reads ABAS FREE EXPRESSION INITIATIVE.
Text reading Authors Against Book Bans in a typewriter font, with each line of text on a black brushstroke background.
Logo for the Texas Freedom to Read Project. Features a green figure reading beneath a blue star and arch with lavender plants. A banner below reads Texas Freedom to Read Project.
Logo featuring a blue cube made of stacked books with a white bookmark, next to the words everylibrary in gray and blue text on a white background.