SUPPORTING THE FREEDOM TO READ IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PROTECTING OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS FROM HARASSMENT

WHEREAS, the freedom to read is under attack by well-funded right-wing organizations seeking to destroy foundational community organizations such as public schools and libraries; and

WHEREAS, both groups and individuals are employing harassment and targeting of school librarians, diverse reading materials, and students engaging in the freedom to read in furtherance of their goal of destroying public schools and libraries; and

WHEREAS, the harassment of school librarians and targeting of diverse reading material are an attempt to marginalize and eliminate the identities of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color; and

WHEREAS, the harassment of school librarians and targeting of diverse reading material are also part of a larger coordinated nationwide attack by special-interest groups, legislators, policymakers and politicians to gain support for anti-LGBTQIA+ and racist policies and laws:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to support and advocate for policies and laws requiring that diverse reading materials and resources be available to all students; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT condemns the harassment and targeting of school librarians as they fulfill their duties to obtain and maintain diverse collections that promote equity and empathy; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT supports the right of all school librarians to work free from harassment and to fulfill their professional responsibilities to provide students with diverse texts; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT strongly believes in the right of every student to see themselves reflected in school and library reading materials and to exist in the public school space free from targeting and harassment based on race, color, sex, gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT supports the freedom to read as outlined in the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement.

Adopted May 28, 2025