Cards Against Humanity—But Not Against Libraries

It’s International Games Month, when communities reconnect through their libraries around the educational, recreational, and social value of all types of games. And what better way to celebrate the month than with news that one of our favorite party games—Cards Against Humanity (CAH)—has stepped up in a big, creative way to support libraries and the American Library Association (ALA).

During Banned Books Week, celebrated October 5-11 this year, CAH offered presales of a special edition product titled Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke, and 100% of the net proceeds from the preorder will be donated to ALA.

Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke is one of CAH’s most unique offerings. While games manufactured abroad are subject to U.S. tariffs, this special edition informational explainer of CAH’s original irreverent party game meets tariff-exemption criteria.

“We argued to Customs and Border Protection that because Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke is a series of cards meant to be read, rather than played as part of a game, it is fundamentally similar in nature to a book or a pamphlet, which are universally accepted as classic examples of a ‘publication,’” said Josh Dillon, co-founder of Cards Against Humanity. “Distributing the pages of a book or a pamphlet in a cardboard box, rather than as a bound codex, has no bearing on whether it is a ‘publication’ or constitutes ‘informational materials.’ It’s not every day that you get to make ontological arguments to the government, but thankfully they agreed!” 

CAH has a history of supporting libraries. Any library that asks for copies of CAH’s family-friendly games receives them free of charge including Contact! which is for players age 14 and up and comes with a smaller expansion pack of Cards Against Humanity cards geared for players age 17 and older.

CAH’s has a long-standing reputation for supporting charitable causes and progressive policy positions. Over the past decade, CAH has donated millions of dollars to organizations including the National Network of Abortion Funds, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Wikimedia Foundation, the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, and more. They also organize and fund a scholarship program for students in STEM. 

In choosing ALA as the recipient of the Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke donation, CAH acknowledged their love of librarians and the desire to support an organization fighting for free speech.  

“We are exceptionally grateful to CAH for their longstanding support of libraries and thankful for this recent donation, which will help ALA continue its work to protect the right to read freely,” said ALA president Sam Helmick. Lisa Varga, ALA Associate Executive Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, added: “This fight isn’t free. The CAH donation allows us to continue supporting librarians and library workers under attack.” 

How you can support libraries

With library funding being gutted and censorship on the rise, supporting libraries is more critical than ever. If you’re looking for a way to help, we urge you to become a Supporter of the American Library Association by donating. 

At the American Library Association, we are here to protect libraries — today and for generations to come. What does your donation do? It helps a neighbor gain skills to start a business. It helps a child discover themselves through books and programs. And it helps keep libraries strong, open, and free for everyone.