Book bans are making headlines across the U.S. in states like Florida, Texas, Missouri and Tennessee, specifically surrounding books about race, gender, and sexuality. We’re seeing new laws and policies like “Parental Rights in Education” that give parents more control over what’s allowed in school and illegal for educators or librarians to provide “obscene” materials to minors. But there are amazing advocacy groups working hard to protect our freedom to read and here’s five you need to know about.

American Library Association (ALA) – Office for Intellectual Freedom

The ALA is a powerhouse when it comes to fighting censorship. Their Office for Intellectual Freedom tracks book challenges, offers support to libraries facing bans, and hosts the annual Banned Books Week. They’re basically the watchdogs of free speech in libraries, making sure controversial books don’t disappear from the shelves.

Freedom to Read Foundation

Think of this as the legal arm of the ALA. The Freedom to Read Foundation helps libraries and readers fight back when censorship gets out of hand. They’re all about protecting your First Amendment rights and making sure everyone can access whatever books they want—without the government stepping in.

National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)

The NCAC brings together over 50 organizations from different sectors—education, publishing, arts, and more—to stand up to censorship. They get involved whenever there’s a fight to keep books on shelves, and they’ve been doing this for decades. Their goal is simple: make sure free expression isn’t silenced.

PEN America

PEN America is all about defending free speech, both in the U.S. and globally. They’ve been really vocal about rising book bans, publishing reports, and speaking out on censorship. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of what’s happening with banned books, and they’re making sure everyone knows about it.

Kids’ Right to Read Project (KRRP)

KRRP focuses specifically on making sure young readers have access to diverse literature. They team up with students and parents when books are challenged in schools, helping them fight to keep those titles available. Their mission is clear: young people deserve to read stories that reflect the world around them.