Bicameral Right To Read Act Would Boost Federal Investment In Literacy

For immediate release | December 5, 2025 WASHINGTON – The American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed yesterday’s bicameral reintroduction of the Right to Read Act by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative... Originally introduced in 2022 by the late Representative Raúl Grijalva, the Congresswoman’s father and predecessor in AZ-07, the Right to Read Act is designed to ensure all students, including low-income and minority students, children... American Library Association President Sam Helmick said, “School librarians and media specialists uplift students every school day across our nation. Librarians help students learn to read and inspire them to read to learn. The Right to Read Act strengthens the resources they depend on, ensuring every student has early, equitable access to up-to-date books, technology, and expert guidance.

We applaud Sen. Jack Reed and Rep. Adelita Grijalva for championing this essential legislation.” “The evidence is clear: well-resourced school libraries and certified school librarians are not optional, they are foundational to student success,” said American Association of School Librarians President Amanda Kordeliski. “More than fifty years of research across over sixty studies show that students with access to full-time, state-certified librarians and robust collections consistently perform better academically. When we invest in school librarians, we are investing in equity, literacy, and the future of our communities."

Students that utilize school libraries have 73% higher literacy rates than students attending schools without adequately resourced and staffed school libraries. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled today in districts without a school library while approximately 30% of schools do not have a single full-time librarian. In Feature Articles by Andrew AlbaneseDecember 8, 2025Leave a Comment The lawmakers said the legislation would support “evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read.” <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-214074 size-large lazyload" src="https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-710x423.png" alt="" width="710" height="423" srcset="https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-710x423.png 710w, https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-300x179.png 300w, https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-768x458.png 768w, https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-100x60.png 100w, https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-793x472.png 793w, https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva-1080x643.png 1080w, https://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/US-Senator-Jack-Reed-and-US-Representative-Adelita-Grijalva.png 1482w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /> U.S.

Senator Jack Reed and U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva By Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor, Words & Money The bicameral bill was first introduced in 2022 by Reed and Adelita’s father, longtime Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who died at the age of 77 while battling cancer. Adelita Grijalva won election to her father’s seat in a special election in September. The bill was also reintroduced in 2023, but failed to advance.

WASHINGTON, DC – Literacy opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success. To make sure this door is open to every child, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) introduced the Right to Read Act, which will close gaps in access to school library resources and surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across America. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reading scores for American nine-year-olds have dropped to their lowest point since 1990. Research consistently shows that access to school libraries makes a big difference in giving kids the skills and inspiration they need to become proficient and enthusiastic readers.

Students who utilize their school libraries have 73 percent higher literacy rates than their peers who do not. However, not every student has access to a school library or school librarian. The Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics reports that about 8,830 public schools across America do not have a school library. For schools that do, nearly 17,000 do not have a full- or part-time librarian. Vulnerable students face even greater disadvantages in accessing strong school library programs, with students experiencing the highest levels of poverty being 30 percent more likely to not have a school library at all. School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students.

Yet, during the 2024-2025 school year, PEN America recorded 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts. Since 2021, the organization has tracked nearly 23,000 book bans in public schools. The lawmakers said the legislation would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read." Saying that literacy "opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success" U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) this week introduced—or more accurately—reintroduced the Right to Read Act, a bill that proposes to "surge" federal investment in support of student literacy, support the "recruiting and retention of school...

The bicameral bill was first introduced in 2022 by Reed and Adelita's father, longtime Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who died at the age of 77 while battling cancer. Adelita Grijalva won election to her father's seat in a special election in September. The bill was also reintroduced in 2023, but failed to advance. While the text of the recently reintroduced bill has not yet been filed, the lawmakers said in a joint release that the legislation would once again seek to support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked... The release also said the new bill, like its predecessors, would reauthorize the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant program at $500 million and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program at $100 million. Furthermore, the legislation "reaffirms that first amendment rights apply to school libraries in response to the alarming trend of book banning" and would offer protections for "school librarians and other educators in carrying out...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLNE) — In an effort to increase literacy and expand opportunity, Sen. Jack Reed and Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva introduced the bicameral Right to Read Act. The legislation aims to help address disparities in access to school library resources and surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across the country, Reed said. The U.S.

Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries. Reed said the Right to Read Act aims to address this issue, ensuring students have evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, and a wide range of reading materials. “Under the House Republican majority, GOP politicians have sought to politicize our children’s schools and enable the voices of an extreme few dictate what children can or cannot read,” Grijalva said. WASHINGTON – The American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed yesterday’s bicameral reintroduction of the Right to Read Act by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative... Originally introduced in 2022 by the late Representative Raúl Grijalva, the Congresswoman’s father and predecessor in AZ-07, the Right to Read Act is designed to ensure all students, including low-income and minority students, children... American Library Association President Sam Helmick said, “School librarians and media specialists uplift students every school day across our nation.

Librarians help students learn to read and inspire them to read to learn. The Right to Read Act strengthens the resources they depend on, ensuring every student has early, equitable access to up-to-date books, technology, and expert guidance. We applaud Sen. Jack Reed and Rep. Adelita Grijalva for championing this essential legislation.” “The evidence is clear: well-resourced school libraries and certified school librarians are not optional, they are foundational to student success,” said American Association of School Librarians President Amanda Kordeliski.

“More than fifty years of research across over sixty studies show that students with access to full-time, state-certified librarians and robust collections consistently perform better academically. When we invest in school librarians, we are investing in equity, literacy, and the future of our communities." The Right to Read Act, introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03), has been reintroduced in the United States Congress. The act aims to ensure that every student in the United States has access to a school library staffed by a certified school librarian. It also seeks to address disparities in access to school library resources, and to surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across America. Literacy is essential for lifelong opportunities and economic success.

The ability to read and write fluently is an important foundation for learning and communication, and is vital for future success. Data shows that school libraries make a significant, positive impact, giving children the skills and inspiration needed to become proficient and enthusiastic readers. Access to a school library results in a 73% higher literacy rate for all students and an even more powerful impact for low-income, minority, and disabled students. Furthermore, literacy plays a crucial role in shaping one's personal and social development, studies show. It helps individuals to be more self-aware and understand the world around them better. Through reading, people can develop empathy, expand their worldview, and gain knowledge on various topics.

Literacy also enables people to express themselves better and communicate effectively with others. It allows them to articulate their thoughts and feelings, which is critical for building healthy relationships and fostering social connections. Literacy is not just about reading and writing; it also includes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills are necessary for success in today's complex and ever-changing world. With the advent of technology, the ability to read and write is no longer enough. People need to be able to navigate and evaluate information from various sources critically.

They need to be able to understand and analyze complex problems, identify potential solutions, and make informed decisions. Therefore, improving literacy skills should not only be limited to reading and writing but should also include promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By doing so, individuals will be equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the 21st century. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries. This means that 1 out of 10 schools in America are without a library, and 30% do not have full-time school librarians.

School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students. However, 37 states have enacted bans on books that disproportionately limit access to reading material that discuss issues from marginalized and minority communities. Supreme Court refuses to hear Little v. Llano County: ALA responds ALA expressed disappointment and concern following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling from the Fifth Circuit to stand.

This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across TX, LA, and MS. Bicameral Right to Read Act Would Boost Federal Investment in Literacy Programs, Ensure Protections for School Librarians and Teachers The American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed yesterday’s bicameral reintroduction of the Right to Read Act. Award-winning librarian and ‘Reading Rainbow’ host Mychal Threets to serve as 2026 National Library Week honorary chair

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