My Library Is... Free to Read

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Right to Read Poster Project, an inspiring initiative celebrating intellectual freedom and libraries' vital role in our society. This project was made possible through generous funding from the My Library Is... Grant. Thanks to their support, Roosevelt University Libraries worked closely with the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences and the talented students from the Graphic Design Department’s DES346 Advanced Digital Illustration and Imaging class to bring this vision to life. 

The Right to Read Poster Project came to fruition in celebration of Illinois’ newly enacted “Right to Read” legislation, which protects libraries and their funding while emphasizing the importance of access to information for everyone. At Roosevelt, intellectual freedom has always been a cornerstone of our mission. This project built on that commitment, turning the principles of intellectual freedom into a visual celebration of the right to read. 

Over the course of the project, students in DES346 designed striking posters inspired by the iconic WPA posters from the New Deal era. Their work emphasizes the importance of free and open access to information, particularly in an era when book bans and censorship are at the forefront of public discourse. These posters, now displayed at both the Chicago and Schaumburg campuses, serve as more than just beautiful works of art—they are conversation starters, advocacy tools, and reminders of the critical need to protect intellectual freedom for all, especially marginalized voices. 

The Right to Read Poster Project has sparked meaningful dialogue within our university community. From faculty and students to staff and visitors, the posters have inspired reflection on how libraries connect us, protect our access to knowledge, and champion equity and inclusion. 

This project’s success reflects Roosevelt University’s ongoing mission to advance social justice. It also demonstrates the incredible power of collaboration, bringing together students, faculty, and community members to take a stand against censorship and celebrate the fundamental right to read. 

We want to thank RAILS once again for making this project possible. Their commitment to libraries and intellectual freedom ensures that initiatives like this can thrive. We’d also like to recognize the creativity and hard work of the DES346 students, whose posters now proudly adorn our campus spaces. 

To everyone who supported this project or stopped to admire the posters, thank you for being part of this vital journey. Together, we’ve shown the strength of libraries as spaces of connection, equity, and freedom. Let’s continue to champion the right to read for generations to come.  

This week’s blog post was written by Robin Hoffstetter, Director of Libraries, Roosevelt University. 

This project was made possible by the My Library Is... Grant.