The Reader’s Bill of Rights

Daniel Pennac, author of Better Than Life, a book about the act and joy of reading, has penned The Reader’s Bill of Rights. While librarians intuitively encourage and champion these rights, many people do not even think of them . Or perhaps they think the opposite. For instance look at number 10: The right not to defend your tastes. Sometimes people come to the Reader’s Services desk and ask for a certain type of book and then apologize or say “This is my summer read.” The truth is that librarians do not judge people by the books they request or read. We all understand the vast array of reading tastes and we celebrate them all! If everyone read the same thing, libraries would have limited and boring collections.

It’s time for everyone to celebrate The Reader’s Bill of Rights, including children and young adults. So the next time you’re reading a book that doesn’t make you happy, remember numbers 1, 2, and 3. When you covet your favorite book, remember numbers 4, 6, 9. When you’re reading under the covers, celebrate number 7. And no matter what, always keep number 10 close to your heart and keep coming to the library.

The Reader’s Bill of Rights by Daniel Pennac

1. The right to not read 

2. The right to skip pages 

3. The right to not finish 

4. The right to reread 

5. The right to read anything 

6. The right to escapism 

7. The right to read anywhere 

8. The right to browse 

9. The right to read out loud 

10. The right to not defend your tastes

-KF