National Library Week Kicks Off With Right to Read Day and Becky Gives You Access to Action Steps

Look, if you read this blog, you don't need me to tell you that it is National Library Week, or that there have been a record number of book challenges.

But, you do need me to remind you that National Library Week is a not for you, the library worker. It is for the library world to remind everyone else that we are here. It gives us an in with the media who will be primed to listen since this is "our week." It is our 1 week to get the world's undivided attention.

This means you need to be ready and willing to answer questions this week-- from patrons, friends, and family-- about libraries and all of the challenges that are going on everywhere. I know we are tired and frustrated but it is imperative.

My focus today is giving you tools to pass on to others so everyone can act. I can help you by gathering the information and resources you need to be able to help others understand and most importantly, ACT.

I have two sets of options for you. I suggest looking at both and figuring out which will work best for you and the people you are interacting with. There is no one-size fits all here.

First, please look at the official American Library Association information about Right to Read Day. There are easy to follow steps with information on how to act. And tons of links.

Second, today, Kelly Jensen, the head of censorship coverage at Book Riot, made this easy to use thread of her most popular and action oriented posts to help you get your supporters acting. 

Again, action is the key to this week. National Library Week MUST BE ABOUT ACTION. The other side is spending all of their time and gobs of money to take away everyone's freedom to read, disguising it as a an effort to "protect the children," but what they are actually doing is deciding for everyone what is okay to read, and their choices erase the experiences of millions of people, especially Black and LGBTQ persons. We are running out of time to stop them.

So how are you going to act?

Start with yourself. Look at the links above and figure out what you can do. 

I have 2 Library Board meetings this week-- my local one and the system board meeting. Do you know when your local library board meets? Maybe look that up and make a plan using the resources I have shared to attend your meeting and support your library.

There are other options beyond going to meetings. Click through and make a plan for yourself. 

But also, go beyond yourself this week. Act by engaging your patrons in conversation about the Right to Read and those actively trying to take it away from everyone. This week, our patrons are hearing it on the radio, reading it on the internet, seeing it everywhere. Now is your chance to take them listening to action.

And that is the only thing you should worry about this  National Library Week.