In the United States, the freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Yet that freedom continues to be challenged. We are not neutral about defending it.
Library policies to protect your freedom to read
Our library maintains a Collection Strategy Statement that guides our work to develop a meaningful, evidence-based collection.
We also uphold the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which states in part that materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation; that materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval; and that libraries should challenge censorship.
And in October 2022, our library board adopted a resolution in support of library staff, collections, and programming.
State & local support
Additionally, our library has support in defending the freedom to read at both the local and state level.
- In June 2023, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees voted to name Oak Park a Book Sanctuary Community. This resolution, a joint effort between our library and village government, affirms that Oak Park champions diverse and inclusive books, and protects access to challenged and banned books.
- Also in June 2023, Illinois House Bill 2789 was signed into law and took effect in January 2024. This law authorizes state grant funding only to libraries that adopt policies protecting against the removal of books because of personal, political, or religious reasons.
How you can take action
Unite against book bans. Sign your name to The Freedom to Read Statement »
Spread the word locally. Support Oak Park as a Book Sanctuary Community »
Use your civic voice. Register to vote, talk with elected officials, find upcoming election dates, and more »
Fight for the First. Get involved with a group near you or create your own campaign with help from EveryLibrary »
Get tools to organize and speak up. Read more advice from EveryLibrary, via Ask A Manager »
Share about Books Unbanned. Be aware of how libraries are finding new ways to support the freedom to read throughout our nation. For example, in an unprecedented move to open access to challenged and banned titles, the Brooklyn Public Library and the Seattle Public Library now offer free digital library cards—with access to ebook collections—for teens and young adults living anywhere in the United States.
Read these titles. We have curated a list of books that best exemplify our commitment to being A Library for Everyone. Sorted by age, this list focuses on titles that speak to a broad audience and includes some past banned and challenged titles, as well as books about censorship.
Oak Park has a strategy, policies & practices
As stated in Oak Park's Collection Strategy Statement, we intend for our collections, in all available formats, to facilitate equitable experiences for engagement, education, and inspiration, and to have measurable impact on the community. The library develops a meaningful, evidence-based collection that is positioned to meet the needs of the community and supports equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To develop an evidence-based collection, we use traditional metrics such as circulation, downloads, and website visits, as well as qualitative metrics such as customer feedback, program and services evaluations, library-wide institutional assessments, conversations with the community, and professional insights gained through community engagement.
We've joined the ULC's Declaration of Democracy
Oak Park values democracy and has signed on to the Urban Libraries Council's Declaration of Democracy:
"Public libraries are critical cornerstones of democracy, and democracy’s future is diminished when people’s access to power, information, a diversity of voices and the ability to influence policy are restricted. The battle to protect democracy is a global struggle playing out at the local level and libraries have landed on the front lines. Democracy can only thrive with strong community-level support and engagement."
