Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Each year we celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week. This year it falls September 22-28, and it's a great opportunity to share your commitment to ensuring everyone has the freedom to read and that censorship has no place in our libraries.
September 28 is Let Freedom Read Day, and you can support this message with a few easy actions.
- Make sure you are registered to vote. Learn more about voting and elections here.
- Ask your local legislators and elected officials to support the freedom to read.
- Share your voice. Show how you are supporting the freedom to read on social media and use the hashtags #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek
Learn more about Banned Books Week and the history of book challenges in our library by visiting our display at the Downtown Library during Banned Books Week.
Legislative Alerts
Thank you for your support. Staying connected with your legislators and elected officials is always good advocacy. Here are some things you can do now to support the library:
- Reach out to your legislators and thank them for their work and support of the library.
- Invite your elected officials to a library program or event.
- Share a personal story of library love with your legislator and tell them how their support helps make those moments possible.
- Share your library story with us so we can include it in our messaging to stakeholders. See the form below!
Invite the Library to Speak
The Library and Library Foundation are seeking opportunities to share information about the Westside Library Project with book clubs, fraternal organizations, or other local groups. If you would like to help us spread the word about this project by hosting us as a speaker, please click the button and complete the form.
Share Your Library Story
The impact of a public library can best be measured by the impact on our community. This is where you come in!
Tell us a story about how the library has impacted your life or the lives of those around you. Share meaningful interactions or moments, or tell us about your experience with a library staff member.
By submitting this form, you give the Cedar Rapids Public Library permission to publish your story. When we share stories, we typically display only your first name and last initial. Not all submissions are published.
Advocacy
The Cedar Rapids Public Library is grateful for the support of our community. The purpose of this page is to outline resources to promote the importance and value of the Cedar Rapids Public Library. These tools have been compiled to make it as easy as possible to share your support for the library with your friends, family, and community.
Advocacy helps to:
- Inform public library users and the community about library services and their value
- Demonstrate how public library services improve the lives of people in the community
- Ensure libraries have resources to continue offering these important services
- Secure a place at the table for library leaders where important funding and policy decisions are made
Why is Advocacy Important?
Library advocacy is important because it ensures we continue to have the means necessary to serve as a vital community resource supporting all community members. Regular and consistent advocacy with stakeholders means there is a greater chance of being top of mind when important decisions are being made.
We hope this toolkit will offer you the resources needed to advocate for the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Some examples of the messages we hope you will share:
- “The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a vital community hub that fosters lifelong learning, promotes literacy, and provides equal access to information for all residents.”
- “The library offers free resources, programs, and services that support education, professional development, and personal growth, contributing to a thriving community.”
- “Investing in the Cedar Rapids Public Library is an investment in our community’s future, as it enhances quality of life, promotes economic development, and strengthens social cohesion.”
