Hi friend,

My name is Mary, and for 25 years I was a school librarian. I may have retired, but I remain an avid supporter of our school and public libraries — and on World Book Day, I have decided it’s time to do more: to speak out about the danger the GOP poses to our treasured libraries.

Books are something to celebrate. They have been the building blocks of democracy and a source of knowledge for all well-informed citizens. Books develop empathy and encourage us to come together, not to divide and hate.

But now, books and libraries have become just another battlefield for the GOP culture war. Their attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and attempts to alienate LGBTQ+ students have come to banning books and access to information that is essential to combating racism and prejudice. They force teachers and librarians to deprive students and our communities of a fundamental resource.

So today, I’m asking you to join me and my friends over at WisDems in standing against the GOP’s book bans and fighting for the fundamental values of knowledge, diversity, and freedom. Will you stand with me and add your name?

Add Your Name

One thing is clear to me, friend: the good guys are never the ones banning books.

The GOP decided if they can’t win out against our shared ideals of justice, fairness, diversity, and democracy, they need to silence them.

But by standing together, fighting back against authoritarian book bans, and working to keep their extremist agenda from taking diverse materials out of our schools and libraries, we can win.

If you’re ready to stand with us in our fight for books and everything they represent to our communities, I hope you’ll add your name to our World Book Day petition today.

Thank you for being a part of this fight, friend, and happy reading!

– Mary