Welcome to ReadOut!

Join Defense of Democracy for ReadOut, our (free!) signature fall event dedicated to celebrating books, supporting authors, and protecting intellectual freedom in our public schools and libraries. Whether you are a lifelong reader, an educator, or an advocate for democracy, there are three flexible ways you can participate and make an impact:

Attend the Live Virtual Event (October 6th at 7:00 PM EDT)
Tune in for an exclusive online workshop with Ellen Hopkins, the most banned author in the United States. Hear directly from Ellen about her work and experience with censorship, followed by an inspiring panel and Q&A with real community members who successfully fought back against book bans to save their local public libraries.
Host Your Own Banned Book Discussion
Gather a group of friends, neighbors, or colleagues to read and discuss a banned or challenged book of your choice. We’ll provide tips to help you lead a great conversation around freedom of expression and the power of stories.
Do Both!
Host your group’s book discussion and join us live on October 6th for the workshop and community Q&A.

Why It Matters

Book bans and censorship attempts are at an all-time high, threatening our freedom to read and access diverse perspectives. ReadOut is our collective response: a time to showcase incredible authors, share proven strategies for defending local libraries, and prove that communities thrive when access to stories remains open to all.

Sign up today to get involved, host a group, or reserve your virtual spot!

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

READOUT 2026

Register for READOUT 2026