Between ongoing censorship attempts and defunding efforts by our government, libraries are constantly being thrust into the spotlight. The individuals attacking libraries, including our government, are attempting to reduce the institutions to beacons of their own whim, and privatize them along the way.
And while libraries, library workers, and various coalitions are playing a huge role in defending the freedom to read, these public spaces have so much more to offer. Most librarians do not enter the field because they are looking to protect access to stories; In actuality, many librarians enter into the field as a second or third career, wanting to help their community.
While libraries do represent the freedom to read—whether by fighting censorship attacks, or making different types of reading tools accessible to readers of all disabilities, ages, and interests—they also represent the ability to learn, create, imagine, gather, and seek safety. They provide numerous resources that strengthen their local neighborhoods, just as these librarians hope.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and getting a library card is an important action we can all take to help ensure these institutions remain public and are able to offer as many free resources as possible. So as the House and Senate finalize the IMLS budget for 2026 and as we approach Banned Books Week (October 5–11), we must all take a moment to better understand the state of libraries in the U.S., and the role we play in helping them—and subsequently our wider community—thrive.
Books we are reading (or hoping to read) this month
✅ Cantoras by Caro De Robertis
✅ We Are Not Numbers by Ahmed Alnaouq and Pam Bailey
✅🎧Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
🗓️ Maggie; Or, a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee
🗓️ A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toews
🗓️ Heart the Lover by Lily King
🗓️ The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy
🗓️🎧The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
Note: For books we have completed, we’ll only include here ones we recommend.
Books new to our TBR
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
The 2025 ad astra Readership Challenge: “Utilize your public library every month”
When creating our Readership Challenge, we knew we wanted to encourage folks to support their public library. And consistency is key; while getting a library card is an important step, it’s, unfortunately, not enough to keep these institutions open. Using their resources frequently is an additional way for us all to fight for libraries.
Libraries often offer much more than books, giving us patrons the ability to learn new skills, find a new hobby, and/or meet our community and neighbors. Take a minute to explore your library’s website, and check out our recent post to learn more about what libraries have to offer:
(One of my favorite, easy ways to utilize my library? Their printers!)
And, of course, we readers can all play a bigger role in defending and funding libraries. In addition to the suggestions outlined above, we can:
Contact our representatives at all levels (local, state, federal) and demand library funding via increased budgets, grants, and the protection of the IMLS.
Become a Friend of the Library or donate to your local Friend of the Library organization.
Volunteer! Ask your librarian where they need help most.
Fight book bans and thank/defend the librarians thrown in the line of fire.
About the challenge
Folks who complete all the prompts by EOY will be entered to win a $100 gift card to their indie bookstore of choice. Those who finish at least six of the prompts will receive an exclusive ad astra sticker. In December, we'll share a submission link to complete as proof of participation. (Our downloadable tracker will be helpful for this!)
Want to participate? Join our Broadcast Channel on Instagram, follow our newsletter, and get your friends to join!
Other publishing updates
ICYMI, a House Appropriations Subcommittee voted on funding the IMLS for 2026. This is still not finalized, as it has rounds of approval and negotiations left, but it’s a great step to celebrate.
Authors Adriana Herrera and Ali Hazelwood launched a kickstarter to fund a new book series, After the End. As of writing, they’ve raised $893,164…hugely surpassing their $10,000 goal. As Dominican Writers notes: “This campaign isn't just a success—it's a straight-up slap in the face to every publisher who has ever told us that our stories ‘don't sell,’ or that there's ‘no market’ for them.”
Thanks so much for taking the time to read! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share with friends, and consider subscribing if you have not yet already. Also, in case you missed it, we have prints! Learn more and place an order here.
We’ll be back in a few weeks with the latest publishing updates.
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