Congress is on its annual break, but that doesn’t mean your advocacy for libraries and access to books should be resting. Right now is prime time to make phone calls, write letters, send emails, and–if you can–show up at events and at the office of your representative.

There are four federal book ban bills right now. Each one would directly harm public school funding and would lead to widespread censorship–particularly of LGBTQ+ books. 

H.R. 7661:  

• On the House’s Union calendar after being approved in committee. It is eligible to be heard by the entire House, though it is not yet scheduled. 
• Here’s what that bill would do.  
• Contact your House Representative in opposition to this bill. Here’s an easy form you can fill out to voice your concerns.

S. 4925:

• Senate’s companion bill to H.R. 7661. 
• Currently in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee but has not yet been heard. 
• Here’s what the bill would do. 
• Contact your Senators in opposition to this bill, especially if they’re on the HELP committee. Here’s an easy form you can fill out to voice your concerns. 

H.R. 2616: 

• A national “don’t say trans” bill
• It has passed through the House and is now in the Senate HELP committee 
• Here’s what the bill would do. Contact your Senators in opposition to this bill, especially if they’re on the HELP committee.  

H.R. 8705: 

• Dubbed the “CHARLIE Act,” after Charlie Kirk
• Would withhold funding from public schools that teach racial and gender inclusivity, creating the opportunity for rampant book bans
• Here’s what the bill would do. 
• Contact your House representatives in opposition to this bill, which has passed out of the House education committee but is not yet on the House Union calendar. 

Funding for public school and library internet is also on the chopping block. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed ending eRate, which would decimate budgets of public institutions no longer eligible for reduced-rate internet access. Here’s what cutting eRate would do. Take action by filing a statement with the FCC against such cuts. You can do that here. 

There are plenty more opportunities for advocacy now and to come, as the federal government still has no budget for fiscal year 2027–meaning there’s also still no budget for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Take half an hour this week for advocacy, and you’ll make tremendous strides in saving some of America’s amazing public goods. 

Then, tell your own networks to do the same and help them through the process.