Freedom to Read 2023

Central Illinois Reads: A Freedom to Read partnership

The Freedom to Read is essential to our democracy, but also under attack.

Central Illinois libraries joined together in 2023 to encourage you to exercise your intellectual freedom.

Get a library card. Read outside your comfort zone. Unite against book bans.

For more than 20 years, Peoria Public Library has hosted a citywide literary event inviting all residents to read the same book at once.

But this year, instead of one city and one book, Peoria Public Library joined with sister libraries across Central Illinois to invite everyone to read outside their comfort zone by choosing a banned or challenged book. Instead of Peoria Reads, we are Central Illinois Reads.

Six area public libraries joined Peoria Public Library along with longtime Peoria Reads partners, Bradley University, Methodist College and Neighborhood House.

Our partner libraries include: Chillicothe Public Library, Dunlap Public Library District, Fondulac District Library, Illinois Prairie District Public Library, Morton Public Library and Pekin Public Library.

From April through October, local libraries hosted a number of events to empower you to stand against censorship — from bringing in nationally known authors whose books have been banned to librarians who are pushing back against intolerance, exclusion and censorship.

Our keynote speaker — Laurie Halse Anderson, author of the critically acclaimed yet often censored book, Speak — discussed the dangers of censorship, both to our democracy and educational systems, but also how it will impact future authors.

Find your voice and celebrate your Freedom to Read with us.