The literary website Book Riot has teamed up with library political action committee (PAC) EveryLibrary in the battle against censorship in libraries. Through December 22, Book Riot will match donations to EveryLibrary up to $5,000 to help the organization combat the book challenges and proposed censorship measures that have ramped up across the United States this year.

While book challenges are not a new phenomenon, the American Library Association (ALA) received more reports of censorship attempts in the last three months than in all of 2020. EveryLibrary’s main work focuses on getting out the vote for library referenda and ballot initiatives, but it has also advocated for school librarians, provided a platform for reporting threats to libraries, and in spring 2020 established a mutual aid program for library workers in need, which has since been sunsetted. In the spring, the EveryLibrary Institute—EveryLibrary’s nonprofit arm—joined forces with PEN America for a two-part media literacy training for library educators, now available on demand, and collaborated on a recent teach-in to help high school students speak out against challenges.

EveryLibrary has also mounted a petition against book banning efforts, which lets signers find and send an email to their state legislators, as well as donating to the organization’s informational campaign.

Book Riot has been a consistent source of information on book challenges to public and school libraries, and offers an anticensorship toolkit. It also runs a variety of donor campaigns, “and they identified us as being somebody who’s working on the political issues that are attached to this,” EveryLibrary Executive Director John Chrastka told LJ. “We’re really looking to be bigger than just the library ecosystem on this one.”

Donations can be made through the EveryLibrary website, ActBlue, PayPal, or by check or money order (U.S. funds only) made out to:

EveryLibrary
BOOKRIOT MATCH
P.O. Box 406
Riverside, IL 60546

To participate in Book Riot’s matching program, donors to EveryLibrary should upload a picture of their receipt in the form provided on the campaign page; personal information can be redacted. For those who wish to make a monthly donation of $5 or more, EveryLibrary is offering a pair of “I Love My Library” socks. Funds raised will be earmarked for anticensorship efforts across the country.

The two organizations hope “to reach other Americans who are as offended as we are by how politicized the challenges have become, and how disconnected from the actual materials they are,” said Chrastka. “We’re looking to reach more Americans who are trying to fight for what’s right, and to fight for the librarians who are helping to ensure access across the board.”