THE RIGHT TO READ NETWORK FAQs

The Right to Read Network advises and provides resources to local advocacy groups to defend books and connect advocates to a national network defending the Right to Read. Your voice is needed in your community, and we can help you find and mobilize other local advocates in your community.

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Does it cost anything to join?

  • No! There is no fee to initiate a RRN group, or to join an existing RRN group!


What do RRN groups do?

  • Meet regularly on their own (once or twice a month) to discuss:
    • Current challenges (related to school board/library policies or state laws that result in educational censorship)
    • Strategies to organize actions to respond to book bans
    • Recruiting new members and defining the goals of the group
    • Join a national RRN Zoom call once a month to discuss issues and strategies with other national Network members.
  • Mobilize community members (including students) to participate in Board Meetings and other initiatives including:
    • Advocacy letter writing
    • Filing FOIA requests
    • Developing talking points (i.e., from curriculum rationales or other sources) to speak out and defend challenged titles at school board meetings
    • Urge School Board members to reject book challenges
    • Seek out legal information
    • Report book challenges to NCAC
    • Organize peaceful protests
  • Engage with the media via:
    • Press Interviews
    • Op Eds, letters to the editor
    • Social media


What happens when I create a RRN group?

All member Group Co-Chairs will attend a RRN new group orientation meeting. NCAC will provide:

  • The RRN Guidebook, How to Organize Against Book Bans, which provides best practices, tips, and tools for grassroots organizing
  • Access to the RRN Google Groups Listserv, which allows RRN members to share questions/resources and strategies.
  • Access to participate in the monthly RRN Zoom call, where members can share information about big challenges, wins, and updates.
  • Access to participate in periodic workshops, which will focus on building various skills, including legal guidance, media training, how to write and place Op-Eds, how to file FOIA requests, and more.
  • A packet of digital media assets (logos, digital branding materials, etc.) and guidelines for how and where to use them to advance our shared cause.
  • Peer support and mentorship opportunities.
  • Organizational tools for tracking local participation and group activities.
  • Where possible, referrals for pro-bono legal information.


How do I join an existing RRN group?

  • Contact us at [email protected] to see if there’s a RRN group in your city, county, or state.


Do you have what it takes to be a RRN co-Chair?

Effective co-Chairs have the following traits:

  • Interest in engaging and rallying community members;
  • Self-directed, strategic, and creative;
  • Clear communications skills;
  • Skills in delegating and leading a team;
  • Time/availability to consistently commit;
  • Good under pressure.


So you’re ready to launch a group and be a co-Chair? Get started!

  • Fill out our new RRN application form
  • Interview with NCAC staff
  • Obtain approval from NCAC
  • Receive a welcome package from NCAC, including a resources folder


What does it take to launch a new RRN group?

  • A time commitment of approximately five to ten hours a month, including:
    • A representative from your group attending a minimum of six RRN meetings per year
    • Holding one or two meetings of your group per month.
  • Resources to hold a monthly local KRRN group meeting – in-person or online!
  • At least three members are required for an official RRN group to launch
    • If you do not have three members, reach out to [email protected] for more information and recruitment resources.
  • Two or three co-chairs

For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. If you’re ready to apply to start a new group, please fill out our application form.

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