LIBERATION LIBRARY
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Press

Read about our latest campaigns and what people are saying about our work. 
August 25, 2020

From Vogue.com: Liberation Library is Pushing for Prison Abolition, One Book at a Time. 

Amid protests for racial equality and police reform, many Americans have called for the dismantling of systemically racist structures within our society. For some, that work begins with defunding (or abolishing) the police and other forces behind the largest private-prison population in the world and investing in community-led solutions instead. Liberation Library, a nonprofit organization that sends books to incarcerated youth in Illinois, is one group behind that effort. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, more than 48,000 people under the age of 18 are currently incarcerated, their facilities varying from detention centers to adult prisons and jails, long-term secure facilities, and juvenile prisons. Recently, a Twitter post from Liberation Library sharing a letter from one of their readers—and outlining ways to join their mission and invest in prison abolition—went viral.   

​Read more here.

August 21, 2020

From Next City: This Chicago Nonprofit Supports Incarcerated Youth and Local Businesses During the Pandemic

In Illinois, roughly 500 youth are in prison or jail. Over the years, Chicago nonprofit organization Liberation Library has been providing books to those young people, sending hundreds of books yearly to incarcerated youth in six county jails and five juvenile prisons. After COVID-19 struck, the nonprofit has doubled the number of books it sends to youth — and has switched to buying them locally.   

​Read more here.

August 3, 2020

From KultureHub: Liberation Library lets incarcerated youth explore other worlds in books

Youths in prison may be the last thing on many people’s minds, but at Liberation Library, they’re at the forefront of its mission. Liberation Library is a Chicago-based volunteer-led prison abolitionist organization dedicated to providing books to incarcerated youth. To them, access to literature is a right, not a privilege. We spoke to the volunteers at Liberation Library, and collectively, they gave us responses about their efforts. Let’s take a look at the story and mission of Liberation Library.   

​Read more here.

July 28, 2020

From Block Club Chicago: Liberation Library, Which Sends Books to Incarcerated Children, Goes Viral With Child's Thank-You Letter

When Liberation Library went viral this month, it was because it received a letter from an unusual author: a child in a prison who was grateful to receive books to read. [...] “People [on social media] were really shocked that we incarcerate children in this country, and rightfully so,” said Lucy Geglio, a member of Liberation Library’s steering committee. “This organization is … an accessible onramp for someone to feel that horror that a child would be locked in prison, and also acknowledge and discuss, ‘Well, why is anyone in prison?’”

Read more here.

April 13, 2020

​Liberation Library Hosts Book Drive for Incarcerated Youth in Illinois as Programming Dwindles due to COVID-19

Read the details of our response here. 

November 21, 2019

From End Book Deserts: Books Behind Bars

This episode features two programs - Cantu’s Books and Liberation Library - who provide book access to incarcerated youth. Click here to listen.

December 18, 2017

From MTVNews.com: ​Liberation Library x MTV News

MTV News meets up with Liberation Library to see what they are doing this Christmas for incarcerated youth.

November 29, 2017

From WBEZ: ​Liberation Library Gets Books to Incarcerated Kids in Illinois

Founding member Eva Nagao joins the Morning Shift to talk about the history and mission of the Liberation Library.

November 11, 2017

From Teen Vogue: ​Liberation Library Announces Holiday Card Drive for Youth Behind Bars

Find out about one of our most popular initiatives and how to spread holiday cheer. Read the article here. 

October 3, 2017

From Hack Library School: Providing Library Services to Incarcerated Populations. 

Read the article here. 

December 30, 2016

From Bustle: How To Help Liberation Library, Which Provides Books To Incarcerated Kids

Read the article here. 

December 2, 2016

From Book Riot: Action Item: Liberation Library

Read the article here. 

July 19, 2016

From The Chicago Community Trust: In celebration of their centennial year.


February 9, 2016

From Northwestern: Liberation Library Empowers Youth in Prison With Books of Their Own

Read what the Medill Reports says about our work here. 
Liberation Library  ©2024
  • Donate
  • About
    • Free the Dream$
    • Bookstore Partners
    • Press
    • Statement of Philosophy
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
    • FAQs