Pledge to Support Arkansas Libraries
I pledge to support the freedom to read in Arkansas. I stand with the Arkansas Right to Read Project to protect our libraries, oppose censorship, and ensure that our children have access to a diversity of ideas. I commit to taking action during the next legislative session to defend the right to read for all Arkansans.
We believe in protecting intellectual freedom and ensuring that everyone—especially our students—has access to books, materials, and ideas that represent the full spectrum of human experiences. Arkansas has a proud tradition of "live and let live," and our libraries are essential to upholding that value. Our core principles guide us in this fight:
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Freedom to Read: Every Arkansan deserves access to a wide range of ideas and information without censorship or government interference.
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Diverse Representation: Library collections should reflect the diversity of Arkansas, ensuring that all voices are heard, valued, and celebrated.
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Trust in Librarians and Educators: We trust the dedicated professionals in our libraries and schools to curate materials that are inclusive and age-appropriate for all readers.
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Parental Rights: We believe parents—not the government—should guide their children’s reading choices, ensuring personal and family values are respected.
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Opposition to Harmful Legislation: We oppose any legislation that censors ideas, bans books, or undermines First Amendment rights and Arkansas’s long-standing tradition of intellectual freedom.
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Support for Public Funding: We reject efforts to defund Arkansas’s public libraries and schools, which provide equitable access to information, learning, and opportunity for all.
If you share these values, we invite you to take the next step. Pledge to support Arkansas libraries and schools in the 2025 legislative session.
By signing this pledge, you’ll join a growing community of Arkansans who believe in the freedom to read and want to protect our shared rights. As a supporter, you’ll receive updates on opportunities to get involved, including contacting your legislators, participating in events, and standing up for intellectual freedom when it’s at risk.
Together, we can ensure that Arkansas libraries continue to be places of discovery, exploration, and learning for generations to come.