Preparing for the 2026 Legislative Session

As we approach the 2026 legislative session, advocates for intellectual freedom must be prepared to counter growing threats to the right to read. In recent years, book bans, vague state mandates, and political pressure have intensified, stripping students, educators, and communities of access to diverse and inclusive books. Now more than ever, it is essential to be organized, strategic, and data-driven in our advocacy.

This guide offers practical steps to help advocates, parents, and community leaders prepare for the session. It includes strategies for writing effective one-pagers, gathering actionable data, filing public records requests, and choosing impactful policy topics. It also leverages the latest research, including the EveryLibrary Institute's The Censorship Acceleration report, to provide context and urgency for your efforts.

Why This Work Matters

The EveryLibrary Institute's 2025 report, The Censorship Acceleration, makes clear that the overwhelming majority of book bans today are not grassroots actions, but top-down initiatives orchestrated by well-funded political organizations. These coordinated efforts are part of a broader attempt to dismantle public education, replace it with privatized models, and silence marginalized voices.

This political moment demands a robust response. Advocates must use every available tool to promote transparency, uphold students' rights, and support the educators and librarians on the front lines of this battle.

Step 1: Choose a Policy Focus

To make change in the 2026 session, start by selecting a clear, relevant issue to address in your advocacy. Two important examples include:

1. 1. Educator Pay and Student Spending: Research from the National Education Association highlights dramatic inequities in teacher pay and per-pupil funding. These disparities weaken public education and leave schools more vulnerable to censorship and curriculum control. (See NEA State Rankings)
   2. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): The World Health Organization outlines the importance of CSE in preparing youth for healthy relationships and informed decision-making. CSE is often targeted by censorship campaigns and needs vocal support. (See WHO CSE Resource)
   3. Freedom to Read: First Book’s 2023 report shows that access to diverse classroom libraries significantly improves students’ reading engagement, academic achievement, and empathy toward others. Teachers reported that these books helped students see themselves reflected and better understand people from different backgrounds. (See First Book's "The Impact of a Diverse Classroom Library")

Step 2: Create a One-Pager Policy Proposal

A one-pager is a concise, compelling document that summarizes your policy ask. It's a vital advocacy tool you can bring to meetings with legislators, staffers, or school board members.

Use the following structure:

• Executive Summary: Begin with a brief paragraph answering Who, What, and Why. Emphasize the impact on students, families, and public education.
• Desired Policy Outcomes (1-2): Clearly state what changes you want to see. Provide brief, specific policy language if possible.
• Supporting Data: Include 2-3 data points that illustrate the urgency or effectiveness of the proposed change. Visuals like charts or graphs can help.
• Contact Information: List your name, organization (if applicable), and email or phone number.

Tip: Use the free resources at EveryLibrary Institute's Publishing Center to design and publish your one-pager.

Step 3: Gather Useful Data to Strengthen Your Case

Facts are powerful. Strengthen your policy proposal with localized and relevant data, such as:

• Circulation numbers of challenged or removed books
• Percentage of students under parental restriction policies
• Number of professional librarians employed per district
• Instances of book objections and review outcomes

You can use these data points to show how censorship disrupts learning and access, disproportionately affecting already marginalized students.

Step 4: File Public Records Requests (PRRs)

To obtain the data above, file public records requests (also called FOIA requests) with your local school districts. Here are some specific requests you can make:

• All book challenge forms submitted between 2023-2025
• Lists of books restricted or removed by schools
• Internal emails discussing book challenges or state guidance
• Number of books under parental restriction per school
• Records showing the number of certified media specialists per school
• Meeting minutes where book review policies were discussed

Tip: Be polite, specific, and clear in your request. Mention your state’s public records laws, sometimes referred to as “sunshine laws.” Also, MuckRock is a nonprofit platform that helps users file and track public records requests, making it easier to uncover censorship efforts and demand transparency from schools and government agencies. In addition, you can use the relevant government agency’s public records portal to file efficiently.

Step 5: Connect the Dots Between Censorship and Broader Policy

Use the findings from The Censorship Acceleration report to connect book bans to broader trends, including:

• School privatization and voucher expansion
• Cultural erasure of marginalized communities
• Political manipulation of educational content

This context helps others see censorship not as isolated incidents, but as part of a larger, coordinated effort to destabilize public education.

Step 6: Build Coalitions and Stay Informed

Effective advocacy is rarely done alone. Partner with other parents, educators, authors, and students who support the freedom to read. Build coalitions with:

• State library associations
• Local education unions
• Student-led anti-censorship groups
• Civil liberties organizations (like ACLU or PEN America)

Attend legislative committee meetings, school board hearings, and community events. Use your one-pager and data to educate others and make your case. Schedule meetings with elected officials, legislative aides, or committee staff to advocate directly for your policy goals and ensure your concerns are heard by decision-makers.

Conclusion: Eyes on 2026

Preparing for the 2026 legislative session starts now. Censorship doesn’t take a break, and neither can we. Whether you’re crafting a one-pager, filing public records requests, or sharing the truth at a public meeting, your voice matters.

The Freedom to Read Project urges advocates across the country to act boldly, share widely, and keep fighting for every reader’s right to choose what books they read.

Let’s get to work.