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Applications are now being accepted for the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) Banned Books Weeks Grants offered through the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund.

Each year FTRF distributes grants to non-profit organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual Banned Books Weeks celebration (September 27 - October 3, 2020) Staff at all types of libraries, schools, universities, and community organizations are encouraged to apply. Grants are awarded at two levels, $1,000 and $2,500.

To be eligible for a grant, organizations must not have been a recipient of an FTRF grant within the past five years. Grantees are encouraged to share their events on social media and with the press. A follow-up report detailing expenditures, numbers of participants, links to press coverage and a narrative of the event is due within six weeks of the Banned Books Week celebration.

FTRF Founder Judith F. Krug was a fierce proponent of education and intellectual freedom. During Krug’s lengthy career she worked non-stop to prevent censorship and protect First Amendment rights. Librarians and intellectual freedom advocates have an opportunity to continue this work and stand up for the First Amendment by providing innovative, educational and often fun programming to highlight Banned Books Week.

Visit the online to apply and learn more about past recipients and their projects. Deadline: May 31, 2020. Questions, contact Yumeka Brown, Program Officer at ybrown@ala.org or 312-280-4223.