Right to Read Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill aims to make sure every student has access to a high-quality school library and a certified librarian. It defines a "right to read" as having access to diverse books, proper reading lessons, and the freedom to choose what to read.
• Congress would set aside $500 million for literacy programs and $100 million to help schools hire more librarians, especially in high-need areas. It also requires states to track whether low-income and minority students have the same access to libraries as others.
• The policy includes new protections for teachers and librarians. They would be protected from being sued as long as they are following their school's "right to read" policies when helping students find books.
• Schools would have to promise to protect students' First Amendment rights. This means school boards cannot remove books from libraries just because they do not like the ideas or opinions in them.
• The government would start collecting data every two years on school libraries. This includes counting how many librarians are on staff, what kind of books are available, and how much time librarians spend teaching students.