Civic Engagement, Racial Justice, and the Freedom to Read
Beyond the Bookshelf is a statewide series of trainings and conversations from Read Freely Alabama that connects the freedom to read with civic engagement, racial justice, and the power of local communities to protect their public libraries.
Made possible by a grant from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the series brings Alabamians together for in-person and online conversations designed to build knowledge, strengthen local relationships, and give people practical ways to become more involved in the civic life of their communities.
Our goal is larger than responding to an individual book challenge or a single controversy. We want Alabamians to understand how decisions about libraries are made, how censorship affects communities, how questions of access and racial justice intersect, and how citizens can participate effectively when the future of their public institutions is being decided.
Why Beyond the Bookshelf?
Public libraries are more than collections of books. They are public institutions where people encounter ideas, learn about the world, explore their own histories and identities, and access information regardless of income or background. When access to books and information is restricted, the effects are not always felt equally.
Rural communities and historically underserved communities can be especially vulnerable when a small public library is one of the few freely accessible sources of books, technology, educational resources, and trustworthy information available locally. These libraries can also face significant pressure when funding, governance, or public controversy becomes tied to demands to remove materials or restrict access.
Read Freely Alabama believes that protecting the freedom to read requires more than responding to censorship after it occurs. It requires strong communities whose members understand their rights, know how their public institutions work, and have the confidence and relationships necessary to participate in civic life. Beyond the Bookshelf is designed to help build that capacity.
Bringing Civic Engagement Into the Freedom-to-Read Conversation
Each Beyond the Bookshelf event explores a different part of the connection between libraries, civic participation, racial justice, and access to information. Participants will have opportunities to learn from community organizations and subject-matter experts, meet other Alabamians who care about these issues, and develop practical skills for becoming more involved in their own communities.
Topics may include how public boards and local government work, voting and civic participation, racial justice and equitable access to information, coalition building, community organizing, public advocacy, and the constitutional principles that protect the rights of readers. The series is particularly intended to reach communities where residents may not previously have seen themselves as library advocates. You do not need to be a librarian, policy expert, or longtime activist to participate.
An important part of Beyond the Bookshelf is expanding Read Freely Alabama’s reach into rural communities and communities that have historically experienced racial inequity. In many small communities, a public library is an essential civic institution with limited resources and few alternatives nearby. When those libraries face political pressure, censorship demands, or threats involving public funding, community members need both reliable information and connections to people who have faced similar challenges elsewhere.
Through Beyond the Bookshelf, Read Freely Alabama will work with local communities and partner organizations to bring resources, education, and relationship-building opportunities closer to the people who need them.