Turning the Page: 10 Years of Liberation Library

We'll celebrate a decade of sending books to incarcerated youth, reflect on all we’ve accomplished together, and share more about our current programs—including how you can help Fund A Run of our reader-led magazine, Free the Dream$!

This year, we’re releasing the first-ever public edition of Free the Dream$, bringing young people’s stories, art, and grievances beyond facility walls to amplify their voices. We’ll also be looking ahead, inviting you to share your hopes for the next decade of our work.

Join us for community, bookmark-making, food, and memories—come celebrate with us!

FUND A RUN OF FREE THE DREAM$

We’re building on our commitment to Free the Dream$ by continuing to raise $24,255 to produce and print 500 copies of the next edition, ensuring this powerful magazine continues to reach and uplift incarcerated young people.

Free the Dream$ is a reader-led magazine that allows incarcerated young people to share their visions, reflections, and artwork, access news and book recommendations, and connect with each other—disrupting isolation and censorship while fostering imagination and self-determination.

Your support ensures young contributors are paid for their work and that this powerful publication reaches those who need it most. Every donation (including ticket sales) brings us closer to making this issue a reality.

ABOUT LIBERATION LIBRARY

Liberation Library (LibLib) is a Chicago-based and volunteer-led Pr*son abolition organization that provides books & youth-led magazines to incarcerated young people in Illinois including all five state-run youth facilities and over six county juvenile detention centers. As an abolitionist group, we build towards a future without prisons and jails. Until then, we work with impacted young people to support them in developing their imagination, leadership skills, self-determination, and connections with each other and to outside worlds of their choosing. We were formed in 2015 in response to a call to action by Mariame Kaba of Project NIA who voiced that young people who are caged in IL prisons need access to education. Since 2015 we’ve sent over 6,700 books inside and produced nine magazine issues, distributed exclusively to young people inside.

COVID POLICY & ACCESSIBILITY

Attendees are required to wear a mask (KN95 or N95) throughout the duration of this event unless actively eating or drinking. Masks will be provided for those who do not have them. If you do not wear a mask during this event, you will be asked to leave. We will have two air purifiers provided by Clean Air Club as well. Those who have symptoms of a contagious illness or have knowingly been exposed to any such illnesses are asked to stay home. This event is located on a second floor with elevator access. The building has two gender neutral bathrooms. Please message us for additional access needs.

Host or Publisher Liberation Library