Culture involves behavior, attitudes, beliefs, and invisible norms and expectations. The question for school librarians is: How is a culture of intellectual freedom built, and what is the role of the librarian? School librarians are expected to be instructional leaders from "the middle." They are not in positions of authority over other teachers, and yet they provide connective tissue across the school and often influence instructional strategies, the implementation of inquiry-based teaching, a focus on independent reading, the use of technology and resources, and the integration of skills instruction across the curriculum. If school librarians want to establish a culture of intellectual freedom, they must exert strong leadership and sustained advocacy. A culture of intellectual freedom, through equitable access and freedom of expression, empowers individuals and even schools to grow and change. This article explains how librarians can lead and advocate for a culture of intellectual freedom by enabling their school communities to take action in several realms: connections, policy, access, and student empowerment through inquiry and independent reading.