Artwork by Nate Powell (March, with John Lewis and Andrew Aydin; Fall Through; Save It For Later)

Dear Barbara,

Next week is National Library Week. On the Monday of National Library Week, April 7, we're celebrating Right to Read Day: Drawn to Freedom! We need your help to make it a day of action that can't be ignored, even amid the head-spinning range of daily attacks on our democratic institutions, freedoms, and democracy.

Libraries and the freedom to read have never been more important to our communities than they are today. It is imperative that we participate in coordinated, collective efforts to support and defend them before it's too late.

Here's How You Can Get Involved:

1. Send a Postcard to Your Local Library: Send an electronic postcard to your library via our online form—let your local library workers know: We support you and the freedom to read! You can also print out and send your own postcards using our Drawn to Freedom Postcard kit to write to library staff, decision makers, and others, expressing your support.
2. Show Up in Person: We have some low-lift ideas for fun and family-friendly in-person events to engage communities in art and activism — all you need is a pencil and paper for many of them!
3. Call Congress to Save the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): Urge your representatives to protect federal funding for libraries and museums and defeat the March 14th Executive Order set to decimate community access to information and privacy.
4. Take Action in 5, 15, 30 Minutes or More: All you need is 5 minutes to make an impact! Take at least one action in our guide to protect your right to read freely.
5. Organize a Protest: In addition to organizing tips, Unite Against Book Bans has printable signs for Right to Read Day ready to go.
6. Spread the Word: Help get the word out about #RightToReadDay and #DrawnToFreedom by creating drawings, videos, and art that celebrate the freedoms found in libraries. You can also share our downloadable social media assets, our posts on Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook, or pictures of how you're participating in Right to Read Day and defending libraries in your community! Be sure to follow and tag us on Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook, and use the hashtags #RightToReadDay and #DrawnToFreedom in your posts.

(Many of our assets are not dated, so you can be Drawn to Freedom and show your love for libraries any day of the year!)

We know that action is an antidote to despair, and readers like you are ready to roll up their sleeves across the country. Let's unite against book bans and take action on Right to Read Day, throughout National Library Week, and beyond!

The Unite Against Book Bans team
UniteAgainstBookBans@ala.org

Other National Library Week Celebration Days

Monday, April 7: In addition to Right to Read Day, the American Library Association (ALA) will kick off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024.

Tuesday, April 8: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

Wednesday, April 9: National Library Outreach Day, a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.

Thursday, April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries. Contact Congress and tell your representatives to fight for IMLS and libraries!

Please consider helping us expand our efforts to unite against book bans by reporting censorship, encouraging friends, family, and beyond to join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign, or donating today.