#RightToReadDay, observed April 20, 2026 during National Library Week, is a time to celebrate our wins and take action against book bans.
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 the right to read.
Since 2021, the American Library Association (ALA)’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has tracked an astonishing increase in censorship attempts in libraries and schools around the country, impacting thousands of titles annually. The data shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. In 2024, pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Data for 2025 will be released on Right to Read Day.
But while the challenges we face are real, 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 everywhere.
Advocacy at Work
Because of the hard work of library advocates across the U.S., we’ve seen meaningful progress in courts, in legislatures, and in local communities. Even when things are tough, we keep showing up to fight for the freedom to read and strengthening the movement together.
For example: Within two weeks of the executive order to dismantle the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), more than 50,000 messages voicing support for IMLS were recorded and sent to Congressmembers through ALA’s action center.
In January of this year, ALA welcomed The Prison Libraries Act, which would provide grants to prisons to update materials, hire qualified librarians, and support digital literacy and career readiness training. The legislation would be authorized at $10 million per year through 2031, focusing on creating libraries in prisons without libraries and in prisons that otherwise would not have the means to scale library services. See Investing in Prison Libraries: A Cost-Effective Path to Safer Communities and Second Chances for more information.
In February, over 200 library advocates visited Capitol Hill on National Library Legislative Day to demonstrate support for libraries and petition Congress to continue funding them in the FY-27 budget. United for Libraries 2024-2026 president Deborah Doyle (front row, second from right) was among them.
The State of America’s Libraries
Earlier today ALA released its State of America’s Libraries 2026 report, an annual snapshot of library trends. The report is published yearly during National Library Week (April 19–25).
As in recent years, the 2026 report documents censorship in libraries from the previous year. In 2025, ALA recorded 713 attempts to censor library materials and services, of which 487 attempts targeted books. This is a decrease from the 821 attempts that were recorded in 2024. However, 4,235 unique titles were banned or challenged at public, school, and university libraries. This figure is second only to the 4,240 unique titles challenged in 2023.
The report includes a list of the 11 Most Targeted Titles in 2025:
1. Sold by Patricia McCormick
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
4. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5. (tie) Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
5. (tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
7. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
8. (tie) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
8. (tie) Identical by Ellen Hopkins
8. (tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green
8. (tie) Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Nearly all of the censorship attempts recorded in 2025—92%—were initiated by pressure groups, government officials, and decision makers. That number has grown sharply in recent years, from 72% in 2024 and 35% in 2023. Fewer than 3% of challenges in 2025 came from individuals.
“In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts,” said Sarah Lamdan, executive director of OIF, in an April 20 statement. “They were part of a well-funded, politically driven campaign to suppress the stories and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals and communities.”
Join the Fight
Ready to take action for intellectual freedom? Our friends at Unite Against Book Bans have compiled a short, easy-to-follow list of things anyone can do to stand against book bans:
- Spread the truth about book banning by sharing the newest data on censorship in libraries. Download free graphics from American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom here.
- Contact your representative and tell them to oppose the national book ban bill H.R. 7661 and to support the freedom to read.
- Register to vote so you can protect the freedom to read everywhere
- Donate to support the fight against book bans
- Show your support by wearing freedom to read merch, or buy a gift for a freedom to read fighter in your life!
ℹ️ Looking for opportunities to get involved in library advocacy beyond National Library Week and Right to Read Day? Consider joining or donating to United for Libraries for advocacy training, educational webinars, resources, guidance and community.
