Senate resolution would urge broad access to books in schools

The Senate would support calling October 4 through October 10, 2026, Banned Books Week and express concern about book bans. This statement represents the Senate’s position on book bans and freedom of expression. The resolution names October 4 through October 10, 2026, as Banned Books Week.

The Senate would call on local governments and school districts to use best-practice guidelines when people challenge books and to protect students’ access to a wide range of viewpoints. The requests cover local governments and school districts, and students’ ability to learn and educators’ and librarians’ ability to teach. The resolution calls on local governments and school districts; it does not state that they must follow these requests.

The Senate would call for executive orders and directives that restrict what people may read and learn in public schools and libraries to be withdrawn. The call concerns public schools and libraries in the United States. The call concerns restrictions based on a book’s content or viewpoint.