IFRT Members Community (Open)

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The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) provides a forum for the discussion of activities, programs, and problems in intellectual freedom of libraries and librarians.

The IFRT Members Community group is the central hub for discussion, library and events. It is visible to all ALA members but only IFRT members can participate in the conversation.

  • 1.  SURVEY: Five Year Censorship Report

    Posted 20 days ago

    Hi, everyone. I'm sharing this message on behalf of the organizers.

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    At the end of last year, ALA OIF, PEN America, Kelly Jensen, and members of the Texas and Florida Freedom to Read Projects collaborated on a 2025 "    Wrapped" article published through Book Riot. Building on that work, we're now planning a deeper look at the last five years to highlight advocacy efforts, lawsuits, contentious meetings, coordinated challenges, and hard-fought wins.

    To do this well, we need your stories and insights.

    More on the report

    The Five Year Report brings together the experience, knowledge, and insights garnered by Freedom to Read advocacy groups working across the United States. The document aims to distill the highs and lows, the wins and challenges, and the opportunities related to book censorship over the course of the 2020s. 

    The goal of the Five Year Report is to provide a snapshot and a game plan for continuing the efforts to protect Americans' constitutional rights, with a particular focus on the First, Tenth, and Fourteenth Amendments. By reaching out to those on the ground, the Report will elucidate trends, provide case studies, and encourage renewed commitment to protecting the freedom to read. The work in developing the document, as well as the final product, invites community and coalition building, vital in today's sociopolitical landscape. 

    The anticipated publication date for the Report is October 2026, with input from on-the-ground parties solicited between April and May 2026. This publication date is intentional, both as it builds on the annual Banned Books Week energy and primes readers in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections. Book Riot will publish and house the Report, but it will also be distributed across all associated organizations. 

    Instructions

    Fill out the form to the best of your ability. Not every question will apply to your situation, so feel free to skip non-required questions. You will be asked for consent to use your quotes in the report in the form and information will otherwise be anonymized. If you have questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Kelly Jensen at Book Riot (kelly@riotnewmedia.com). 

    Deadline for reporting your information is May 15, 2026.

    Thanks for your time and support of this effort!



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    Betsy Gomez
    Assistant Director of Communication and Public Outreach
    American Library Association
    She/Her/Hers
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  • 2.  RE: SURVEY: Five Year Censorship Report

    Posted 20 days ago
    If you are a member of an organization that does advocacy work on behalf of a library or libraries experiencing censorship, or you are part of an organized library effort to push back against censorship, this survey is for you! Please let them know what we need, what you have learned, and what you can provide. 

    If you have ever felt like you need more support (and money, and lawyers) to push back against book bans, here's your chance to say so.

    Onward,
    Sharon
    Right to Read Ohio 



    Original Message