Chicago Public Library has declared itself a sanctuary for endangered stories, establishing book sanctuaries across 77 neighborhoods and 81 library branches. The book sanctuaries aim to expand access to books that have been banned or challenged. In doing so, libraries have found themselves at the front lines of the debate around free speech. In this episode, we learn about how the Library's current decision to preserve intellectual freedoms connects back to a decades-long history of championing those same values. We also hear from the American Library Association president and TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people, Tracie Hall on why protecting access to these books mirrors the essential ideals that uphold our democracy.

More on this episode.

https://www.chipublib.org/library-for-the-people/

Donate to the Chicago Public Library Foundation

https://cplfoundation.org/