A lectern ( from the Latin lectus , past participle of legere , `` to read '' ) is a reading desk with a slanted top . It is usually placed on a stand some other form of support . A lectern ( from the Latin lectus , past participle of legere , `` to read '' ) is a reading desk with a slanted top , usually placed on a stand or affixed to a some other form of support , on which documents or books are placed as support for reading aloud , as in a scripture reading , lecture , or sermon .