APRIL 7 IS RIGHT TO READ DAY!
On Right to Read Day, Monday, April 7, join us to celebrate the right to read and spotlight the other freedoms that are lost when libraries and library workers are attacked.
NEWS AND UPDATES
The American Library Association (ALA) today released the highly anticipated Top 10 Most Challenged Books List as part of the 2025 State of America’s Libraries Report. New data tie majority of library censorship to organized campaigns.
Wanted: Student Advocates for Speech
NCAC’s Student Advocates for Speech program invites young people to stand up for the right to express themselves: to read freely, live openly, and to speak without the fear of censorship. High school students are invited to apply for this free leadership opportunity by June 2, 2025.
Mahmoud vs. Taylor: Take Action in Support of Diverse Books
In January 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear a case interrogating the constitutionality of inclusive education: Mahmoud vs. Taylor. The verdict will have far-reaching implications for students’ freedom to read and learn.
Unite and Key Partners are “Drawn to Freedom” – Join Us on April 7
On Monday, April 7, Unite Against Book Bans will ask readers around the country to raise their voices online and in person for the third annual Right to Read Day. The 2025 theme is “Drawn to Freedom,” featuring original artwork by National Book Award-winning cartoonist Nate Powell. Join us to celebrate the right to read and spotlight the other freedoms that are lost when libraries and library workers are attacked.
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
We are not alone. On both sides of the aisle, large majorities of voters and parents oppose book bans.
of voters oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries.
of voters oppose efforts to remove books from school libraries.
Full poll results and key findings available via the American Library Association.
And yet, attempts to ban books from libraries continue to rise at an unprecedented level across the country. The American Library Association reported 1,247 attempts to censor library books and resources in 2023, primarily driven by efforts of pressure groups to censor multiple titles at a time in public and school libraries.
Book bans harm communities.
Students cannot access critical information to help them understand themselves and the world around them. Parents lose the opportunity to engage in teachable moments with their kids. And communities lose the opportunity to learn and build mutual understanding.
Although book bans are nothing new, they continue to happen at an alarming and unprecedented rate.
If you believe...
- Books are tools for understanding complex issues.
- Young people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books.
- Parents should not be making decisions for other parents’ children.
- Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read.
- Limiting young people’s access to books does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues.
Empowered by Reading
There are many important benefits of providing children and youth with a wide variety of developmentally appropriate reading materials - books which reflect their personal life experiences, as well a the experiences, stories, and histories of others in and beyond their communities.
Action Toolkit
Take a stand against book bans. Check out the UABB action toolkit and defend the right to read in your community.
Become a Partner
We can't defeat book bans alone. Unite with us as an organizational partner, and together we'll work to defeat censorship.
Merch Against Book Bans
Show the world that you unite against book bans with our official UABB apparel and totes, available in the ALA Graphics Store. All purchases support the Unite Against Book Bans campaign and our efforts to fight censorship.
This campaign is organized by the American Library Association and was launched with the generous support of the Steve & Loree Potash Family Foundation and the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Help us continue the fight against censorship. Your donation supports our efforts to defend the freedom to read for all Americans.