Monday Actions for National Library Week
Want to defend libraries? Do these two things today.
It’s National Library Week (April 23–29), and this is a great time to take action for your local public library. All this week, we’ll be bringing you simple, leftist actions you can take each day to strengthen libraries and protect free public spaces.
MONDAY, APRIL 24: FIGHT BACK AGAINST CENSORSHIP
Today is Right to Read Day, in honor of the struggle against censorship and book bans.
In 2022, the American Library Association documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources — the highest number since ALA began gathering such data over 20 years ago, and nearly double the 729 book challenges reported in 2021. Over 2,500 unique titles were targeted for censorship, due to the efforts of organized right-wing groups.
We have to fight back - from school and classroom libraries to public libraries, children’s (and everyone’s) right to freedom of expression is under attack. Here are TWO easy, specific actions you can take today.
ACTIONS FOR MONDAY:
Sign up for news, resources, & calls to action from Unite Against Book Bans!
A national campaign to protect the rights of everyone to access a variety of books, in libraries and elsewhere, Unite Against Book Bans connects, supports, and mobilizes local advocates to fight book bans in their communities or states. When UABB sends you the latest updates and calls to action, take a few minutes to keep up and show up!
Join (or start up) your local anti-censorship group!
Book Riot has compiled an active list of anti-censorship groups by location. Don’t see one in your area? Start a group with your friends and neighbors, and add it to Book Riot’s list! If you need a little help in getting things off the ground, UABB has an action toolkit to point you in the right direction.
Defending libraries is going to take real people power, in the real world. That means organizing ourselves and organizing our communities. So help us spread the word!
If you’ve done one or both of these things today, share it on your social media channels (use these hashtags: #LibraryDefender, #NationalLibraryWeek, #RightToReadDay, #MyLibraryStory).
Copy and paste these Monday Actions and share them with others.
Stay tuned tomorrow for another set of actions!
