Reed, Grijalva Reintroduce Federal 'Right to Read' Act
The lawmakers said the legislation would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."
Saying that literacy "opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success" U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) this week introduced—or more accurately—reintroduced the Right to Read Act, a bill that proposes to "surge" federal investment in support of student literacy, support the "recruiting and retention of school librarians and staff," and combat the rise of censorship in schools.
The bicameral bill was first introduced in 2022 by Reed and Adelita's father, longtime Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who died at the age of 77 while battling cancer. Adelita Grijalva won election to her father's seat in a special election in September. The bill was also reintroduced in 2023, but failed to advance.
While the text of the recently reintroduced bill has not yet been filed, the lawmakers said in a joint release that the legislation would once again seek to support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."
The release also said the new bill, like its predecessors, would reauthorize the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant program at $500 million and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program at $100 million. Furthermore, the legislation "reaffirms that first amendment rights apply to school libraries in response to the alarming trend of book banning" and would offer protections for "school librarians and other educators in carrying out their duty to protect students’ right to read."
“Decades of research tells us that strong school library programs help our students improve test scores, deepen their understanding of key topics, and achieve higher graduation rates,” said Reed, a longtime supporter of libraries, in a release. “The Right to Read Act makes sure that every student across America has access to the opportunities that literacy provides them through high-quality, appropriately staffed school libraries and a wide range of books and reading material to choose from.”
“As a former school board member, I’ve seen how libraries can spark confidence, curiosity, and opportunity for our children,” Grijalva added. “But today, thousands of students, especially those in our highest-poverty schools, don’t have access to a library or a certified librarian. At the same time, politically-motivated book bans are limiting the stories and ideas students can explore. Books open doors; censorship closes them. The Right to Read Act tackles these inequities head-on by investing in evidence-based literacy, rebuilding and staffing school libraries, and defending every child’s right to read.”
The legislation is supported by the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), as well as the American Federation of Teachers, PEN America, Reach Out and Read, the National Education Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
“School librarians and media specialists uplift students every school day across our nation. Librarians help students learn to read and inspire them to read to learn. The Right to Read Act strengthens the resources they depend on, ensuring every student has early, equitable access to up-to-date books, technology, and expert guidance," said ALA President Sam Helmick, in a statement. "We applaud Senator Jack Reed and Rep. Adelita Grijalva for championing this essential legislation.”
In their release, ALA noted that research shows that students who "utilize school libraries" have 73% higher literacy rates than students without adequately resourced and staffed school libraries, yet the U.S. Department of Education, which has been targeted for elimination by the Trump administration, reports that some 2.5 million students are enrolled today in districts without a school library and 30% of schools do not have a single full-time librarian.
“The evidence is clear: well-resourced school libraries and certified school librarians are not optional, they are foundational to student success,” said AASL Librarians President Amanda Kordeliski, in a statement. “When we invest in school librarians, we are investing in equity, literacy, and the future of our communities."
In addition to Reed and Grijalva, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in the Senate and U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Summer Lee (D-PA-12) in the House.
