To kick off National Library Week, we are celebrating Right to Read Day (April 8) with Unite Against Book Bans partners, and we have several actions for Councilors to take and to share with your networks. They range from writing to your member of Congress to making a donation to the Merritt Fund to thanking a librarian. Here's the list of actions on the Right to Read Day web page. (several of them can be completed in 5 minutes.)
We've found that the best way to get advocates engaged is to show examples of advocacy in action, so we're encouraging ALA member leaders to take at least one action and post about it on social media, before or during the week. ALA President Emily Drabinski has taken the lead and the first action by posting on X. We're hoping that if ALA leaders post on Twitter and LinkedIn, etc., this weekend, then actions will start trending even before Unite and ALA officially launch on Monday!
Could you take one of the actions listed and then share the activity on your social media account(s), using our branded templates ("I thanked my librarian..." or "I made a donation"), just as Emily did? Scroll midway down the same Right to Read Day web page for the image that matches the action you took. Your copy can read something like:
I'm getting a head start on #RightToReadDay! Join me in taking action for libraries with [@UniteAgainstBookBans]! bit.ly/RightToReadDay #UniteAgainstBookBans
If you're an overachiever and want to post on several social channels, below are our handles and hashtags. Thanks so much for helping us get a running start and be sure to follow on social for lots of exciting news on Monday!
Social Handles (for Collaboration / Tagging)
Instagram: @UniteAgainstBookBans
Twitter: @UABookBans
Facebook: @UniteAgainstBookBans
URLs (for Sharing / Link in Bio)
bit.ly/RightToReadDay
uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-read-day
Hashtags
#righttoreadday • #UniteAgainstBookBans
More sample social media copy:
You don't have to wait until Monday speak out for the right to read. I'm already celebrating #RightToReadDay with [@UniteAgainstBookBans]! JOIN ME! bit.ly/RightToReadDay #UniteAgainstBookBans
It's #RightToReadDay! How are you taking action today? I [describe the specific action you took (example: contacted Congress)]! Join me! [@UniteAgainstBookBans] bit.ly/RightToReadDay [@UniteAgainstBookBans] #Unite Against BookBans
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-- Edward Garcia
Chair, ALA Committee on Legislation
ALA Council, Rhode Island Chapter Councilor
Chair, Legislative Action Committee, Rhode Island Library Association