More fantastic news from PPA team during National Library Week!
Today, the Right to Read Act of 2023 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and in the House by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). It would increase student access to effective, fully staffed and resourced school libraries across the nation by authorizing Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants ($500 million), as well as increasing the authorization for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program ($100 million) to provide critical literacy resources in communities with significant need.
Senator Reed's and Rep. Grijalva's legislation also protects the Constitutional rights of students to access information in school libraries, in response to the growing trend of book bans. In addition, the Right to Read Act would extend liability protections to teachers and school librarians.
The legislation also supports recruitment, retention and professional development for state-certified school librarians. Additionally, the Right to Read Act would improve federal collection of statistics about school libraries to provide better data about how schools are advancing students' learning and literacy skills.
This bill is endorsed by ALA as well as NEA, AFT, NCTE, and PEN America.
The Senator's release:
www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/...
ALA's release:
www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2023/04/...
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Ed Garcia
Chair, Committee on Legislation
Rhode Island Chapter Councilor
Library Director
Cranston Public Library
Cranston, RI
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