This past week former President Barak Obama surprised librarians across the country by releasing a letter of support. In it he spoke openly about the free expression of ideas and the importance of libraries.

Below is the opening of the letter:

To the dedicated and hardworking librarians of America: 

In any democracy, the free exchange of ideas is an important part of making sure that citizens are informed, engaged and feel like their perspectives matter.  

It’s so important, in fact, that here in America, the First Amendment of our Constitution states that freedom begins with our capacity to share and access ideas – even, and maybe especially, the ones we disagree with.  

More often than not, someone decides to write those ideas down in a book.  

Later in the letter he expresses deep appreciation for librarians and their work.

Nobody understands that more than you, our nation’s librarians. In a very real sense, you’re on the front lines – fighting every day to make the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and ideas available to everyone. Your dedication and professional expertise allow us to freely read and consider information and ideas, and decide for ourselves which ones we agree with.  

That’s why I want to take a moment to thank all of you for the work you do every day — work that is helping us understand each other and embrace our shared humanity.  

Read the rest of the letter on the Penguin Random House website.