Public libraries need our help.

Book bans and censorship are on the rise. Even some liberal politicians are proposing funding cuts instead of increases for libraries.

We all love libraries, and we all love reading - but that’s not enough. It’s essential that more leftists become involved in their local libraries. We’re being out-organized by a right-wing movement that’s focused on taking over public institutions to privatize & weaken them.

We on the Left(s) must focus on strengthening and expanding public institutions that we value. 

That means stepping up in our local communities and taking action in the places that decisions are made. Each local public library is governed by a library board, although specific structures vary from system to system. If we want to defend public libraries, we need to find out how power works where we live, and start showing up.

Are you ready to join us as a Library Defender?

EVENTS

NEWS

CONTACT

FIGHT FOR LIBRARIES

BUILDING LOCAL POWER: 2025 CANDIDATE COHORT

For The People is assembling our second cohort of library board candidates. The cohort is open to candidates who are on track to run or seek appointment between January 1, 2025, and March 15, 2026, as well as currently serving library trustees.

Our cohort will receive 12 weeks of training about how to identify your specific skills as a board member, how to identify and pursue an appointment or run for office, how to map local power structures, and how to govern effectively as a leftist library board trustee.

Want to learn more? Join us at our Cohort Open House on Thursday, December 5th: you’ll hear from organizers and past participants, and have an opportunity to ask all your questions. Registration is now open!

To apply for the 2025 Cohort, complete our online application here—and congratulations on taking a huge step to defend public libraries! Applications will be accepted until December 14, and interviews will be held in early January. Weekly sessions will begin in the first half of February.

HOW DOES YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY WORK?

Public Libraries 101

A For The People Publication

We all love public libraries, but often we don’t know how our local library systems function as political institutions. That’s why FTP has created this free downloadable guide to help you understand how public libraries work, and to get you started asking questions about your community library’s structure, governance, and funding.

Get your copy now:

Join the fight against censorship by taking ACTION.

We all know that the vast majority of Americans support public libraries and the freedom to read.

But we’re being out-organized by a small minority of people on the Right who are banning books, defunding libraries, and limiting access to services. If we want to make a difference, we need to be in the rooms where it’s happening - and we’re here to help you.

  1. Find out when your local school and/or library board meets.

  2. Commit to attending AT LEAST 3 meetings in 2024-2025.

  3. Use our Board Watcher Bingo card while attending the meetings. https://bit.ly/boardbingo

  4. Who funds your local library system? Advocate to INCREASE and EXPAND funding for public libraries. Oppose all cuts!

  5. Run for or seek appointment to your local school and/or library board. Join our upcoming candidate cohort!

  6. Tell us about it! Fill out this form to tell us the actions you’ve committed to (the first ten folks to do so will get a small gift mailed to them from us!)

This week, commit to taking specific actions to show up for your local public library.

UNDERSTAND MORE

  • Learn the story of how America’s public libraries came to be, and their uneven history of serving all who need them. Learn More >

  • Take a deep dive into the scholarship around the history of libraries in America, and the structural inequalities that have always been part of that legacy. Learn More >

  • From BookRiot: If you’re looking for an anti-censorship group to get involved with, you’re in luck. There are dozens across the country, with more popping up all of the time. Learn More >

CityLab’s visual storyteller Ariel Aberg-Riger shares the story of how America’s public libraries came to be, and their uneven history of serving all who need them. Via Bloomberg.

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