For National Library Week, we’re “Drawn to the Library.” What can you find at the library? In a word: FREEDOM. For Right to Read Day, which takes place Monday, April 7, 2025, we’re “Drawn to Freedom” — the freedom to read, the freedom to access information, the freedom to find community — all of the opportunities our libraries provide.
The freedom to read has been under attack for years now. But the censorship attacks on libraries aren’t just book bans. The individuals and groups behind the attacks on libraries are threatening programs, cutting funding, and trying to pass laws that target library workers and educators.
The relentless attacks on library workers, educators, and community members are meant to create an environment of fear in which people are afraid to buy books, afraid to check out books, afraid to teach a diversity of viewpoints, and afraid to even report censorship.
We started Unite Against Book Bans to push back against these attempts to silence and frighten communities and show that the majority of people do not support censorship and the attacks on libraries. We need to show up for our libraries and library workers and let them know that they are not alone. We need to show up for freedom.
For #RightToReadDay, we’re asking you to celebrate — and defend — the freedoms that are found in our libraries!
SEND A POSTCARD TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
To fight the fear created by organized pressure groups, we must tell our invaluable library workers that their community supports the freedom to read and has their backs. Library workers everywhere need to hear loud and clear: We support you and the freedom to read!
If you believe in freedom, if you believe in libraries, if you believe that people should decide for themselves what they and their children read, thank your local library workers for fighting and join the Unite Against Book Bans supporter network to learn about censorship issues around the country and where you live.
You can send an electronic thank you card to your library workers through Unite Against Book Bans using this form (to be added soon). We’ll deliver the messages to librarians around the country.
If you want to send a physical postcard to your local library, you can download a postcard here (to be added soon). You can even organize a postcard writing party in honor of National Library Week!
Okay, I thanked library workers and signed up to be an advocate. Now what?
Thanks for adding your voice! Let’s keep going. There are many ways you can support your library workers and push back against censorship in your community, even if you only have five minutes to spare.
IF YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES...
Check out a banned book.
Circulation matters! Checking out banned books or books about topics that are frequently targeted for censorship proves that the community is interested in reading them. Circulation data supports keeping the books on shelves when they are challenged and the ordering of more books by the same authors or on the same topic.
Contact a decision maker.
School and library board members, trustees, state legislators: these elected officials take public input seriously. Our Action Toolkit has resources to help you contact them, including talking points, a guide to petitioning decision makers, and more.
Register to vote.
Speaking of decision makers, are you registered to vote? The right to read is on the ballot in communities across the country—be prepared to vote in all elections, including for library and school board.
Make a donation.
If you can, please consider donating to the LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund, which provides financial support for librarians facing discrimination or threats to their employment for defending intellectual freedom.
IF YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES...
Report censorship.
The American Library Association maintains a database of attempted challenges and bans. If a book challenge takes place in your district, ALA may be able to provide support and more customized resources to oppose the attempted challenge or ban.
Most censorship goes unreported. You can help us track trends, identify targeted titles, and develop support materials by submitting a confidential censorship report.
IF YOU HAVE 30 MINUTES...
Make a plan to attend your next library or school board meeting.
Most book ban battles are being fought on the local level at library board, school board, and city council meetings. Make sure local officials know you support the library and access to book of all kinds by attending, listening, and speaking out against censorship. Check out our guide to get started.
Evaluate your candidates.
It's election season, which means you'll need to make a decision about who to vote for. Contact the candidates running in your area to see where they stand on censorship in schools and libraries. Download our candidate questionnaire to get started.
FOR THE LONG TERM...
Get involved with your local library.
Libraries are community institutions, and you can support your local library and spread awareness about its value in many ways. The best place to start is by talking to your librarian about how you can get involved. Consider volunteering, joining (or starting) a Friends group for your library, becoming a trustee, or even running for your local library board.
SPREAD THE WORD!
Let’s advocate for libraries with one of our most powerful tools: art! Help get the word out about #RightToReadDay and #DrawnToFreedom by creating drawings, videos, and art that celebrate the freedoms found in libraries or by sharing our social media graphics (media kit to be added soon!). Challenge your followers and friends to join you, too! Be sure to follow and tag us on Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook. Use the hashtags #RightToReadDay and #DrawnToFreedom in your posts.
Merch Against Book Bans
Show the world that you unite against book bans with our official apparel and totes, available in the ALA Graphics Store. All purchases support the Unite Against Book Bans campaign and our efforts to fight censorship.
Additional Actions
Want to do more? Here are additional actions you can take to defend the right to read in your community and support library workers on the ground.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AND STAY CONNECTED
Stay alert with updates, tools, and future actions from the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to help you stay aware of and fight censorship efforts in your community.
Already signed up? Share with a friend or family member and help them sign up.
Every person who joins the campaign is one more voice to speak out when their community is threatened by censorship.
The information gathered will be used to share updates and calls to action; it will not be sold. By providing your contact information, you agree to receive news and updates from Unite Against Book Bans. View ALA's privacy policy for more information.
And remember, you can take action against censorship any day of the year. Until we overcome the organized attacks on the freedom to read, Right to Read Day is every day.