Celebrating School Libraries: A Proclamation and a Call to Action

In a time when school libraries are under attack across the country, the Freedom to Read Project is proud to issue a bold and necessary proclamation: April 2025 is School Library Month in all 50 states — whether they recognize it or not.

We don’t need a governor’s pen to validate what we already know: school libraries are essential. They are the heart of our schools, the champions of intellectual freedom, and the guardians of every student's right to read, learn, and grow.

Our proclamation recognizes what has always been true:

“School library programs are the great equalizer in K-12 education, allowing all students to have access to additional resources and support services to expand their learning beyond the classroom.”

From print books to digital databases, storytimes to research tutorials, school libraries are launchpads for learning. But their value doesn’t stop at academics. Libraries build community, nurture curiosity, and develop the critical thinking skills needed for students to navigate a complex, often chaotic world.

So this April, we’re not just proclaiming School Library Month. We’re issuing a call to action. Here’s how you can support your school library—and why it matters now more than ever.

Why School Libraries Matter

They Level the Playing Field

School libraries provide equal access to information for all students, regardless of background or socioeconomic status. For many children, a school library may be the only place they can check out a book, use the internet, or get help with research.

They Foster a Love of Reading

When students are free to explore stories that reflect their experiences and expand their worldview, a lifelong love of reading is born. That love is not only foundational to academic success, it nurtures empathy and imagination.

They Teach Media Literacy

In a world saturated with misinformation, school libraries teach students to question, verify, and think critically about the content they consume. These skills are essential for becoming informed citizens and engaged learners.

They Are Curated by Experts

School librarians are highly trained professionals who know how to build collections that reflect and serve the unique needs of their school communities. Their work is rooted in education, inclusion, and integrity.

They Empower Student Choice

Access to a wide range of materials allows students to choose what they read, rather than having someone else choose for them. This autonomy is key to developing agency and independence in young readers.

How to Support Your School Library

Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, or advocate, you can take meaningful steps to support the library in your local school. Here are some ideas to get started:

1. Visit and Celebrate

Stop by your school’s library or send in a note to thank the librarian for their work. Share stories about how the library has impacted your child, your students, or your own life. Celebrate them during April by organizing a school-wide appreciation event.

2. Read and Recommend Books

Encourage students to read something new this month and share their favorite finds. Recommend books that celebrate inclusion, challenge perspectives, or simply bring joy. Host a read-in or a student book review board in the library.

3. Speak Up for Funding and Access

If your school is cutting library hours, slashing book budgets, or leaving librarian positions unfilled, speak up. Attend school board meetings, write letters, and ask hard questions. A well-funded school library is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

4. Track and Oppose Book Bans

Banning books doesn’t protect children — it limits their understanding of the world. If you hear about challenges or censorship efforts, get involved. Form a coalition, call for transparency, and defend the right to read.

5. Donate a Curated Variety Books

Ask your librarian for a wish list of titles and donate books that reflect the diversity of your community. Look for stories by and about marginalized voices to help students see themselves and others in the pages they read.

6. Advocate Year-Round

While April is School Library Month, the fight for access is year-round. Keep advocating for strong, inclusive libraries in your school, district, and state.

Partnering for Impact

At Freedom to Read Project, we believe in collective action. If you're part of a nonprofit, bookstore, educator network, or PTA, consider ways you can collaborate to uplift school libraries:

• Host a joint event with your local librarian
• Publish op-eds or social posts about library access
• Share success stories from schools that prioritize libraries
• Include school library support in your organizational goals

We also encourage state and local leaders to issue their own proclamations and take real action to support school libraries — not just in words, but in funding, policy, and protection from censorship.

Because the Freedom to Read Belongs to Every Student

School libraries are far more than collections of books—they are hubs of equity, curiosity, and empowerment. They support academic achievement, celebrate a rich variety voices, and teach students how to navigate the world with discernment and empathy.

As we honor School Library Month this April, let’s do more than acknowledge their value—let’s actively protect and uplift them. Because the freedom to read exists for all Americans, in all 50 states, and every student deserves a library that reflects, respects, and inspires them.