The State of AMERICA’S LIBRARIES: a Snapshot of 2025. FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF READERS. FOR THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR COMMUNITIES. FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR ALL. FOR THE FREEDOM TO READ. FOR THE PEOPLE WHO POWER POSSIBILITY. FOR THE FUTURE OF LEARNING. FOR OUR LIBRARIES. ALA150 American Library Association

From threats to (and victories for) intellectual freedom, to increasing services for incarcerated people, to a whirlwind of legislative and legal battles, 2025 proved pivotal for our nation's libraries.

Read more in our State of America's Libraries Report: A Snapshot of 2025: https://bit.ly/3ORpvpE

5: Show your support by purchasing and wearing Freedom to Read merch. LibraryGiftShop.org/uabb

For your freedom to read. For our libraries. UniteAgainstBookBans.org

Show your support with merch: LibraryGiftShop.org/uabb

Learn more: uniteagainstbookbans.org

1: Spread the truth about book bans by sharing the newest data on censorship in libraries. ala.org/BBooks

Contact your Rep during National Library Week and tell them to oppose the National Book Ban Bill - HR 7661 - and to support the freedom to read.

3: Register to vote so you can protect the freedom to read everywhere

4: Donate to support the fight against book bans. ala.org/oifdonate

Check out the latest data on censorship at ala.org/BBooks

Contact your House Rep to oppose book banning legislation: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Register to vote: vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/

Donate to support the fight against book bans: ala.org/oifdonate

Right to Read Day: April 20, 2026: Everywhere. For your freedom to read, For access to information, For understanding our past, For our communities, For our libraries. Unite Against Book Bans, ALA 150, American Library Association

The freedom to read is still being challenged: from january 2025 through March 2026, more than 100 pro-censorship bills were introduced in state legislatures. At least 40 bills would penalize libraries and library workers with lawsuits, fines, or even jail time for protecting people's right to read. Since 2021, the American Library Association has tracked an astonishing increase in censorship attempts in libraries and schools. The data shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements.

The challenges we face are real, but so is the growing network of individuals and organizations who continue to win victories, share strategies, and build momentum to protect the right to read. Because of your hard work, we've seen meaningful progress. Even when things are tough, we keep showing up to fight for the freedom to read and strengthen the movement together. Right to Read Day is a time to celebrate our wins and take action against book bs.

5 Actions, 5 minutes. Right to Read Day.

It’s Right to Read Day! Here are 5 actions you can take to protect the freedom to read! #NationalLibraryWeek #RightToReadDay #UniteAgainstBookBans

It's National Library Week 2026! Celebrate with us and see what your advocacy is achieving! Unite Against Book Bans.

To kick off National Library Week, we're sharing a list of recent victories for the freedom to read and ways you can keep building our movement to protect your rights! Learn more at https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/news/ and https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-read-day/

Right to Read Day: April 2026. Everywhere! For your freedom to read. Click on the link in bio to find easy actions, free downloads, and more!

Find more info: https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-read-day/ #RightToReadDay #NationalLibraryWeek

One of the biggest issues facing our democracy isn't polarization or partisanship - it's apathy. The antidote? Get involved locally. Read our partner Run for Something Civics new post: uniteagainstbookbans.org/on-national-run-for-offi...

House Republicans want nationwide book bans – Baptist News Global Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are trying to pass a bill that would codify nationwide book bans.

As reported by Baptist News, "Library and literature groups are warning [HR 7661] would hand censors wide discretion to remove books." baptistnews.com/article/hous...

Tell your House Rep to OPPOSE book banning legislation in Congress: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag... #UniteAgainstBookBans

Tell your representative to oppose H.R. 7661. The House Committee on Education and Workforce has advanced H.R. 7661. This bill threatens to block funding promised to schools in order to give politicians the power to censor school materials based on ideology. Unite Against Book Bans.

Rather than supporting government censorship, Congress should invest in literacy education. The Right to Read Act (S.3365/HR 2889) offers a better path to support children, parents, and educators.

The Right to Read Act:: Supports well-staffed and well-resources school libraries; strengthens evidence-based literacy instructions; and protects library workers. Tell your Representative to vote NO on HR 7661 and to support the Right to Read Act instead!

On March 17th, a House Committee voted in favor of H.R. 7661, a book banning bill using a vague definition of “sexually oriented” materials. Tell your Representative to oppose H.R. 7661 and support the right to read: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-page

Freedom to Read New Mexico. Ask Governor Lujan Grisham to Put Libraries and Free Speech on the Legislative Agenda!

For the first time, New Mexico is considering bills to protect the freedom to read in all libraries. Join the Freedom to Read New Mexico coalition in asking the Governor to add them to the 2026 short‑session agenda: www.freedomtoreadnewmexico.org/put_libraries_readers_on...

Text in graphic reads: "Book Bans Wrapped: ALA, Book Riot, Florida Freedom to Read Project, PEN America, and Texas Freedom to Read Project are sounding the alarm: CENSORSHIP IS ON THE RISE" Large stylized "2025" at bottom of image.

ALA, @bookriot.bsky.social, @penamerica.bsky.social, @flfreedomread.bsky.social, @txfreedomread.bsky.social all track different aspects of the movement - no matter how you look at it, book bans are sweeping across the country. Don't miss our joint report: https://bit.ly/4qkTZh5

New York: Want to take action? ⁠Join read-ins in Albany & NYC on 12/8 to demand Governor Hochul sign the Freedom to Read Act! @penamerica.bsky.social @americanbookseller.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
⁠
Registration for Albany: https://bit.ly/4rDo4Kb
#libraryadvocate #freedomtoread

LIBRARIES WIN IN COURT. Federal court issues permanent injunction in Rhode Island V. Trump, stops the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The court ruled that all actions taken by the Administration to dismantle IMLS are nullified. This injunction takes immediate nationwide effect: all grants, in every state and territory. The Administration is stopped from taking these actions again in the future. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.

NEWS: Libraries WIN in federal court!

A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.

Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)

ALA stands with school and academic libraries, their dedicated library workers and the talented staff of the Education Department. Together with our partners in education, ALA will work to protect students' and educators' rights to learn and teach as well as the modest federal support provided to school and academic libraries." ALA President Sam Helmick. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.

NEW: ALA is sounding the alarm after the Administration announced new steps to dismantle the Department of Education. School & academic libraries across the country rely on Dept. of Ed. funding and knowledge to best serve their students and faculty.
More: www.ala.org/news/2025/11... #ForOurLibraries

We're proud to work with @interfaithalliance.org on this initiative!

Join us TODAY at 4pm Eastern / 1pm Pacific!

We can't wait to chat with our friends @interfaithalliance.org

Event flyer for "How Faith Communities and Librarians Can Advocate for the Freedom to Read on November 5, 2025 at 4 p m eastern time."

Join us Wednesday @ 4pm ET / 1pm PT!

We're teaming up with @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's @uabookbans.bsky.social to discuss how faith communities and librarians can come together to advocate for the right to read.

Register here: support.interfaithalliance.org/a/how-faith-...

'Save Our Stories' Unites Advocates in Celebration & Solidarity PRH’s Save Our Stories Supper kicked off Banned Books Week 2025, uniting authors, advocates, and policymakers in the fight to read freely.

Save Our Stories! @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social brought together advocates and authors for a powerful event on the dangers of book bans and the ways we are defeating them. F/@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's Lisa Varga:

https://bit.ly/4nfz0tV

#BannedBooksWeek #CensorshipIsSo1984

The State of Book Bans in 2025: Widespread and Normalized Book bans are no longer shocking—they've been normalized. PEN's new report reveals how censorship has spread, evolved, and sparked resistance in 2025.

From 2021-2025, our partner @penamerica.bsky.social documented 22,810 instances of books banned in US public schools.

Despite the alarming number, there's hope: in 80% of the districts in PEN's index, communities had mobilized to #UniteAgainstBookBans.

Uncover more findings in the new report ⬇️

This gets a smile from us! 😊 Thanks for showing your support for #UniteAgainstBookBans!

It gets me some smiles and nods, and, occasionally, a scowl.

A stack of George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm in book and audio book versions on top of a red couch. Also pictured are a Unite Against Book Bans bag, water bottle, bookmark, and Censorship is so 1984 bracelets and bookmark.

Show the world that we need to #UniteAgainstBookBans with some merch! Each purchase helps us provide resources for advocates fighting book bans in their communities.

🛍️ Wear your support proudly today!
librarygiftshop.org/uabb

#BannedBooksWeek #LetFreedomReadDay @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social

What's Your Freedom to Read Advocate Personality? Take the quiz to find out! UniteAgainstBookBans.org/quiz. Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights. Banned Books Week, Oct. 5-11, 2025.

⏰Need a 5-minute action to do for #LetFreedomReadDay? Take the What’s your freedom to read advocate personality? quiz to assess your strengths + uncover your advocacy style! At the end, get actions you can take to fight censorship, based on your result: UniteAgainstBookBans.org/quiz #BannedBooksWeek

A digitally decorated photocard holder with Censorship is So 1984, Unite Against Book Bans, and Read Banned Books! on it. The photo in the middle is of RM from BTS holding up a book and reading a Read Banned Books hat.

A digital frame with Censorship is So 1984 on it. A person is in the middle holding up a copy of George Orwell's 1984.

We need to get the word out: Censorship is /so/ 1984!

Make a digital photocard holder or frame with a picture of you (or your bias!) holding a book and encourage others to #UniteAgainstBookBans. Here are some templates if you need inspo: www.canva.com/design/DAG1g...

#BTS #RM #BannedBooksWeek

If you have an hour or more: volunteer at your local library. Start organizing! Let Freedom Read Day. Banned Books Week. UniteAgainstBookBans.org/LFRD/ Unite Against Book Bans.

✊ If you have 1 hour or more: Volunteer at your library or start organizing!

Fighting book bans can be a challenging issue to tackle alone. Check out steps you can take to get your community to #UniteAgainstBookBans in our action toolkit: uniteagainstbookbans.org/toolkit/#gra... #BannedBooksWeek

If you have 30 minutes: write a letter to your local officials or to local media. Make a plan to attend your local school board, library board, or city council meeting. Let Freedom Read Day. Banned Books Week. UniteAgainstBookBans.org/LFRD/ Unite Against Book Bans.

💬 If you have 30 mins: write a letter to your local officials or make a plan to attend a school/library board or council meeting. Attending these meetings is one of the most critical actions you can take to #UniteAgainstBookBans: uniteagainstbookbans.org/guide-to-att... #BannedBooksWeek

If you have 15 minutes: check out a challenged book from your library. Buy a banned book or help others access them by donating to a little free library. Let Freedom Read Day. Banned Books Week. UniteAgainstBookBans.org/LFRD/ Unite Against Book Bans.

📙 If you have 15 mins: donate a challenged book to a @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social or check one out from the library.

Circulation stats prove that we WANT to keep these titles on shelves. Browse @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's Frequently Challenged Books for books to read www.ala.org/bbooks/frequ...

If you have 5 minutes: call a decision maker. Support an organization fighting censorship. Join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. Find your advocacy type: UniteAgainstBookBans.org/quiz. Let Freedom Read Day. Banned Books Week. UniteAgainstBookBans.org/LFRD/ Unite Against Book Bans.

📚 If you have 5 mins:

Call a decision maker

Join the #UniteAgainstBookBans campaign: uniteagainstbookbans.org/take-action/

Take our quiz to find your advocacy personality type. Get customized resources and actions you can take based on your result! UniteAgainstBookBans.org/quiz

#BannedBooksWeek

The freedom to read is under attack. Let's do something about it. Let Freedom Read Day. Banned Books Week. UniteAgainstBookBans.org/LFRD/ Unite Against Book Bans.

It's #LetFreedomReadDay! Take at least ONE action today to defend the freedom to read. When we all #UniteAgainstBookBans, we can make a difference. All you need is 5 minutes to make an impact! #BannedBooksWeek

🧵 Check out the thread below or UniteAgainstBookBans.org/LFRD/ for some ideas 👇

821 attempts to censor library books and materials in 2024. ALA American Library Association.

2,452 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2024. ALA American Library Association.

2,452 unique titles were targeted for censorship in 2024, the 3rd highest ever recorded by @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social For #BannedBooksWeek & #LetFreedomReadDay, curb censorship by joining #UniteAgainstBookBans to get action opportunities, info & tools/resources: uniteagainstbookbans.org/take-action