STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed library library freedom legislation introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) that would codify protections to public libraries in state law.
The bill (2024-S 2281) would encourage and protect the freedom of public libraries to acquire and remove materials without limitations and protect libraries against attempts to ban, censor or otherwise restrict access to books and other materials.
“Public libraries are the repositories of free thought, and librarians are the guardians of those principles,” said Senator McKenney. “It should be the policy of every state to guarantee that libraries remain a place of free and open exchange of ideas without any partisan or doctrinal pressure. The legislation would absolutely prohibit materials being removed from public libraries because of those pressures.”
Under the legislation, libraries would “be protected against attempts to ban, remove, censor or otherwise restrict access to books and other materials.”
The library freedom measure now moves to the House, where similar legislation (2024-H 7386) has been introduced by Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket).
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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