Tracking Positive School Library and Literacy Legislation in 2026

Across the country, state lawmakers are advancing legislation in 2026 that strengthens school library programs, protects students’ right to read, and invests in the future of school librarianship. While much public attention has focused on harmful censorship bills, there is also a growing body of constructive, forward-looking policy work underway in statehouses nationwide.

This page tracks positive state legislation affecting school libraries, including bills that:

• Establish or strengthen school library standards and programs

• Protect students’ rights to read and learn through fair, lawful reconsideration processes

• Support certified school library professionals and leadership within state education agencies

• Invest in media literacy, family literacy, and information literacy

• Create or expand funding streams, pilot programs, or statewide initiatives

• Prohibit retaliation and safeguard professional judgment in library management

• Build long-term policy frameworks for the future of school library work

The legislation highlighted here reflects a wide range of approaches from comprehensive “school libraries acts” to student bills of rights to targeted investments in staffing, training, and literacy infrastructure. Some bills are newly introduced, others are moving through committees, and some have crossed over or advanced to fiscal review. Together, they show that lawmakers in many states are working to strengthen school libraries as essential educational programs.=

The tracking widget below is updated frequently as new bills are introduced, amended, or advance through the legislative process. Committee referrals, hearings, votes, and bill status will change quickly during legislative sessions, and this page is designed to reflect that reality.

We encourage you to check back regularly for updates and use this page as a reference point for advocacy, coalition work, and public education. As more states introduce supportive school library legislation, this list will continue to grow. If you’re looking for evidence that proactive, constructive policy solutions are moving forward, you can find it here.