Tell Congress: Pass the Books Save Lives Act

MAGA Republicans and the Far Right are leading attacks on our schools and libraries in order to stifle teaching about our diverse society and the realities of American history. We know that students benefit when they see themselves and others of different backgrounds and identities represented in what they are reading. All students, no matter their race, religion, sexuality, ability, gender or gender expression, deserve to see themselves represented in the classroom.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has introduced the Books Save Lives Act to ensure that every library in every school across the country has books that represent diverse perspectives.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Ensure primary and secondary schools have a library with a trained librarian;
• Require public libraries and school libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books;
• Classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights laws; and
• Direct the Government Accountability Office to report on the effect of book bans on underrepresented communities.