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CHICAGO - Freedom to Read Foundation has joined , a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

Occurring this year on December 1, is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

In order to pledge, go to

The Freedom to Read Foundation promotes and defends the First Amendment right to read and fosters libraries as institutions that fulfill the promise of the First Amendment. Its members support FTRF's efforts to establish legal precedent for the freedom to read of all citizens and to educate the public of the harms of censorship. Your donation to the Freedom to Read Foundation will support:

· The allocation and disbursement of grants to individuals and groups for the purpose of aiding them in litigation or otherwise furthering FTRF's goals;

· Direct participation in litigation dealing with freedom of speech and of the press.

· Education about the importance of libraries and the First Amendment to our democratic institutions.

The Foundation is devoted to the principle that the solution to offensive speech is more speech, and the suppression of speech on the grounds that it gives offense to some infringes on the rights of all to a free, open and robust marketplace of ideas.

“For over 46 years, FTRF has legally defended the right of individuals to confidentially access information as well as protect the ability of librarians to freely make information available to library patrons. Librarians are central to providing access to knowledge and intellectual growth to all who enter their doors. FTRF educates the public about First Amendment issues, ultimately empowering the next generation to make informed decisions about our world.”

Julius C. Jefferson is a librarian at the Library of Congress and President of the Freedom to Read Foundation Board of Trustees.

The Freedom to Read Foundation is participating in not just to raise awareness and funds for defeating censorship in schools and libraries, but also to help raise awareness of through social media and email campaigns, encouraging its supporters to join this unique call to action and give back. Coinciding with Thanksgiving and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support, and help create a better world. The campaign will culminate with a national day of giving on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015.

Those who are interested in joining Freedom to Read Foundation’s initiative can visit Instead of standing in lines on Black Friday or paying shipping fees on Cyber Monday to gift a book for someone you care about, donate to protect their freedom to read on by . Thank you!

To learn more about FTRF, please visit:

· Website: (You can download a sign to share your support with an )

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