Today, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) announced the introduction of the Right to Read Act. ALA and AASL strongly endorse this bill, which seeks to ensure that every student has a fully resourced school library, staffed by a certified school librarian.
The Right to Read Act will:
- Support recruitment, retention, and professional development of state-certified school librarians.
- Reauthorize funding up to $500 million for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants and increase authorization for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program to $100 million.
- Fight back against book bans by reaffirming that First Amendment rights apply to school libraries.
- Provide liability protection for teachers and librarians acting to provide access to reading materials.
Between the Right to Read Act, the possible library facilities funding in the FY23 budget bill, and continuing issues on digital equity, the end of this Congress promises to be eventful for libraries on Capitol Hill.
Watch for updates and action alerts – we will need your voice in the fight!
Thank you for all you do for libraries!
ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Team
If you haven’t yet, share our Unite Against Book Bans candidate pledge with candidates in your state or district! We need to elect champions for the right to read in 2022.
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