Endorsing HR 6830, the Books Save Lives Act of 2024
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) has introduced H.R.6830, the Books Save Lives Act (2024), to counteract the rise in book bans in public libraries and school libraries nationwide. EveryLibrary is encouraging all library stakeholders to learn about and support this important new legislation.
The Books Save Lives Act aims to ensure an inclusive learning environment for all students by requiring school libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books and classifying discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights laws. It would ensure that primary and secondary schools have a library with a trained school librarian and direct the Government Accountability Office to report on the effect of book bans on underrepresented communities.
This awareness that access to libraries is a Civil Rights issue is growing around the county. PEN America's research clearly shows that most book bans are focused on LGBTQ+ or BIPOC communities, authors, and stories. The EveryLibrary Institute, our public policy Think Thank, has developed the "Libraries for All Act", state-level model legislation to require public libraries policies to follow public accommodation laws as well as the First Amendment. In K-12, the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has found that places like Forsyth County (GA) School District have created a discriminatory climate for students because of book bans.
Please join us and send a message to Congress
to pass H.R. 6830 today.
EveryLibrary is proud to endorse H.R.6830 and join other organizations focused on libraries and anti-discrimination like We Need Diverse Books, PFLAG National, Florida Freedom to Read Project, and Color Of Change. We need your help reaching the House and the Senate to encourage passage of the Book Saves Lives Act. School libraries and public libraries should be places where everyone can have their stories told. We need this kind of focus on anti-discrimination to support the freedom to read in the 21st century.