EveryLibrary is an American non-profit advocacy organization supporting public and school libraries and librarians.
EveryLibrary consists of the EveryLibrary 501(c)(4) organization and its companion organization, the EveryLibrary Institute 501(c)(3) organization.
History
EveryLibrary was founded by John Chrastka in 2012, and he remains the organization’s executive director. The group is the only political action committee focused on supporting libraries.[2] Operating nationally, EveryLibrary is based in Riverside, Illinois.[3][4]
EveryLibrary has focused their advocacy on topics including supporting funding for school librarians,[3] and opposing book bans and censorship. The group maintains lists of “Legislation of Concern”, where they identify state legislation that they believe would be harmful to libraries and librarians, or the freedom to read and access information.[5][6][7]
In 2023, the EveryLibrary Institute and Book Riot issued a survey to understand parents’ opinions on book bans and the trustworthiness of libraries.[8]
In 2023, EveryLibrary and the EveryLibrary Institute launched Fight for the First, which provides resources for communities to act in defense of their first amendment rights.[9][10][11]
In 2025, EveryLibrary, in collaboration with other advocacy groups, fought against library censorship in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island, [12] as well as Trump administration censorship of the Smithsonian. [13]
See also
References
- ^ “EveryLibrary 2022 Form 990” (PDF). United States Internal Revenue Service. 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ Albanese, Andrew (December 15, 2023). “PW Notables 2023: John Chrastka”. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Maughan, Shannon (August 18, 2017). “EveryLibrary, Follett Partner to Save School Librarians”. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ “990 Finder | Candid”. app.candid.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ^ Natanson, Hannah; Kaur, Anumita (April 16, 2024). “Red states threaten librarians with prison — as blue states work to protect them”. The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Ravits, Sarah (June 3, 2024). “The New Prohibition: The assault on Louisiana libraries, and how citizens and activists are fighting back”. NOLA.com. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Warburton, Bob (June 3, 2024). “On the Books: Library Legislation 2024”. Library Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Joseph, Christina (January 2, 2025). “Librarians and Allies Must Act to Secure the Future of Libraries and Intellectual Freedom”. School Library Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ “Fight for the First: EveryLibrary launches action platform to defend First Amendment Rights against book banning and Censorship”. Library Technology Guides. April 12, 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ^ Day, Gary (July 22, 2024). “Fight for the First: Online resource helps local activists organize for culture war battles”. Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ^ “Fight For The First: The tools you need to fight against book bans”. www.fightforthefirst.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ^ Robinson, Chauncey (January 16, 2026). “Knowledge itself is under attack, but library advocates are fighting back”. People’s World. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ^ Riess, Rebekah (September 17, 2025). “Censoring museums risks diminishing American exceptionalism, experts warn”. CNN. Retrieved 2026-04-16.