Texas Freedom to Read Project

Promo code: THANKFUL10 for 10% off @txfreedomread merch this weekend (expires 12/1/24) Sales support our work fighting book bans and for the freedom to read in Texas. #bannedbooks #freedomtoread #freadom #stopcensorship #readbannedbooks

In our upcoming webinar, we’re bringing together two organizations working closely with libraries and communities. PEN America, founded in 1922, works to protect free expression and the freedom to read. The Texas Freedom to Read Project supports parent and community-led efforts advocating for access to books in Texas. They’ll share how community support is being built and organized around libraries in practice. May 20, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT. Live Q&A included. Register at the link in bio.

No. Round Rock ISD is not “replacing the Holy Bible with the Koran.” 🙄 Islam is just the latest boogeyman being used by the same politicians, political activists, and pressure groups who have been trying to assert control over our state and country for the past 5+ years. They’ve lost steam on “vaccines/masks” and “CRT” and “ LGBT” and “DEI,” so they’re moving on to “Sharia Law.” Don’t fall for the lies and fear mongering. See it for what it is- and call 👏🏻 it 👏🏻out.👏🏻 These attacks and accusations being hurled at Muslims and Islam are hateful and Islamophobic. 🕵🏼Fact check provide by Texas Freedom to Read Cofounder, @frank.strong

Not a single victory for the freedom to read has been won by people staying home and staying silent. Izzy is not THE only parent who has spoken out against the extreme and excessive overreach by the New Braunfels ISD school board and district admin that has resulted in the (unnecessary) aging up and removal of over 1000 library books- but she is one of the very few. And at this meeting she was the only one who showed up to speak out. Follow Izzy’s example. Keep showing up. Keep speaking up. Even when you’re the only one. More here: /showing_up_matters

✨Libraries are truly magical.✨ Reposting this from last year for National Library Week—stay until the end for ways to support your local libraries.

Do you have a May school board election? Early voting is happening through April 28- including Saturday. Election Day is May 2. Let us know you’ve voted (💃🏼🕺🏽) or you have a plan and promise to vote (👍🏽) in the comments!

young people are NOT the leaders of tomorrow ❌ (we’re leaders TODAY)

Stop Book Bans! Join us to defend the freedom to read as the SPL Board of Trustees review book challenges. Stop Book Bans Salado Public Library Monday, April 27th @ 4:30PM RSVP @ https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblecentex/event/901082/ Join us Monday, April 27th at 4:30pm (the board meeting starts at 5:00pm) at the Salado Public Library Board of Trustees’ Meeting. A person’s beliefs should not matter more than the general public’s right to make choices for themselves [and their children]. We respect parents’ rights to monitor and regulate their own child’s access to materials, but do not believe those rights extend to anyone else. If you are able, please attend this meeting and register to give public comment. Support the board in their previous decisions to NOT ban books. Together, we can defend the freedom to learn, the right to information, and the joy of reading for every person in our community. All are welcome—bring your energy, your signs, and commitment to protecting our libraries. Participants of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend. ✊ 📢 Want to speak? The Salado Public Library will release sign up information at least 73 hours before the meeting and sign ups will close 30 minutes before the meeting starts. You will be able to sign up online or in person. RSVP @ https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblecentex/event/901082/

We’re a bit late posting about our wonderful time at The Texas Library Association Conference in March, but since this week is National Library Week, we wanted to share! @txla_1902 . We met so many great librarians, authors, publishers, and vendors. And there’s no place we’d rather be fighting for the freedom to read than here in Texas! If you got one of our hats at the conference, don’t forget to tag us when you wear them. And if you weren’t able to snag one, we hope to make them available for purchase soon. And lastly, in celebration of National Library Week, stop by your local public or school library and thank a librarian, or email your local elected officials and tell them how important libraries are to your community. ❤️📚

#SEAT26 PANELIST 🪑📚 Laney Hawes lives in Fort Worth and is Co-Founder of Texas Freedom to Read Project. Laney is a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom, she’s mother to four Texas public school students, she’s an adventurer, and an avid storyteller. Her journey into fighting censorship began in 2021 when dozens of books were removed from her children’s school libraries and far-right PACs took control of her local school board. Now, Laney is dedicated to empowering parents, supporting librarians, and defending the freedom to read in Texas and across America. Join us and Laney for #SEAT26 Advocacy Day’s kickoff evening program on Friday, April 17 at Plano Environmental Education Center. Our statewide summit will be hosted at Texas Wesleyan University on Saturday, April 18. RSVP today at /26 or LINK IN BIO 🔗