Freedom to Read Month at LOPL

This fall, celebrate your freedom and exercise your right to read with a variety of library programs, special guests, activities, and crafts at the Lake Oswego Public Library. We’re designating September 22-October 19 as Freedom to Read Month, but the work to defend this freedom continues all year—and so can your support and involvement.

Check out our lineup of events and activities below, as well as more information about the freedom to read, the recent rise in censorship attempts around the nation, and the work we do every day to uphold your fundamental right to read without restrictions, censorship, or consequences. Lastly, don’t miss our list of resources and recommended reading for you to engage with throughout the year!

Library Events:

  • September 8: Pick up a free copy of All Boys Aren't Blue, while supplies last! Then join us for a book discussion on October 19 at the Lake Oswego Heritage House. This event is in partnership with the American Association for University Women.
  • September 22-28: Celebrate Banned Books Week (and kick off Freedom to Read Month) by reading a banned book! Stop by the library to check out our display featuring materials that have been banned and challenged around the US. We’ll also have free buttons, stickers, and copies of the American Library Association’s 2023 Book Report available, while supplies last.
  • October 6: Drop by the library for a banned book page magnet craft!
  • October 13: Attend a panel discussion focused on the impact of censorship, the value of diverse literature, and the importance of preserving intellectual freedom for all.
  • October 17: Join us online for LOPL Trivia and compete against other teams for a $25 e-gift card to Powell’s. There will be a category on banned and challenged books.
  • October 19: Join library staff and members of the LO chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW) at the Lake Oswego Heritage House for a book discussion about All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson.

More Ways to Celebrate Between September 22-October 19:

  • We’ll have free buttons, stickers, and copies of the American Library Association’s 2023 Book Report available, while supplies last.
  • How many banned and challenged books have you read? Starting in October, place a tally next to the covers on our whiteboard on the main floor, and see what titles have been most widely read in Lake Oswego.
  • Check out our displays featuring banned and challenged books for youth and adults. All books will be available for check-out.
  • Pick up a postcard to send to an author of a banned and challenged book, and let them know how their work has impacted your life.

The Freedom to Read: Celebrating 70 Years

Seventy years ago, leaders from across the literary world—librarians, professors, publishers, and business professionals—united to denounce attacks on books, libraries, and free expression. The following year, the American Library Association and Association of American Publishers authored a groundbreaking statement to outline the responsibilities of librarians and publishers in protecting Americans’ freedom to read. It begins:

“The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack.”

Since its inception, the Freedom to Read statement has been altered and updated a number of times to defend the reading choices of all readers. It remains a fierce condemnation of censorship in all its forms and a relevant call to action for libraries, individuals, and groups who trust that individuals can make their own decisions about what they read and believe.

The Ongoing Battle Against Censorship

Recent data from the American Library Association reveals alarming trends in censorship attempts across the country—including right here in Oregon. In 2023, American libraries faced a record number of book challenges, up 65% from the previous year's record. A staggering 4,240 unique titles were targeted for censorship, disproportionately affecting books written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries also increased by 92% over the previous year.

The freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democracy and a central tenet of public libraries across the United States. Efforts by individuals and groups to remove or limit access to reading materials in libraries are attempts to suppress your right to read as guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment.

Supporting Your Freedom to Read

The Lake Oswego Public Library is committed to defending your freedom to read. We encourage you to read the full Freedom to Read statement, as well as the American Library Association’s Freedom to View Statement and Library Bill of Rights. The Lake Oswego Public Library Advisory Board stands firmly behind these statements against censorship. Read our policy on intellectual freedom here.

Our librarians respect your rights and your privacy and are here to help you access the information and reading materials you desire. Alternatively, you can search the library's catalog for titles, authors, subjects, or keywords to locate and place holds on materials in the library’s countywide system. Browse this list of sensitive topics and their shelf locations to aid in your exploration. We are here to support you!

Resources and Recommended Reading:

Engagement Opportunities: