Launching the Arkansas Right to Read Project

The Arkansas Right to Read Project is a nonpartisan grassroots coalition of concerned Arkansans working to protect the First Amendment rights of every Arkansan. Its purpose is to educate the public and oppose any current or future legislation, regulations, or executive orders that unconstitutionally infringe upon your First Amendment rights and intellectual freedom.

Our mission is straightforward: to protect and promote the freedom to read for every Arkansan. We do this by advocating for broad access to diverse books and reading materials and by helping decision-makers understand the profound costs of censorship. Our work also involves countering efforts to defund or restrict libraries, while championing policies that foster robust literacy. Ultimately, we strive to inspire communities across Arkansas to recognize the lasting importance of reading and to defend the right of all individuals—young or old—to explore, learn, and grow through books.

The Arkansas Right to Read Project was born out of a shared concern about laws like Act 372 that threaten our access to information. Educators, attorneys, parents, librarians, and advocates came together in a bipartisan effort to stand against censorship. Today, our coalition continues to expand, unified by our commitment to upholding intellectual freedom across the state.

As we look ahead to the 2025 legislative session in Little Rock, we want to invite all Arkansans who care about our right to read and the way that libraries are positive forces in our communities, on our campuses, and in our schools to come together to campaign for smart legislation that builds up people, not creates divisions. Join us now by Taking the Pledge to support Arkansas libraries and the people they serve.