Massachusetts School Library and Public Library Associations Urge Legislature to Advance Right to Read Legislation this Session.

School library and public library association leaders call for action to protect students, families, and communities from censorship and political intimidation.

The Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) join together to urge the Massachusetts General Court to hold hearings and advance newly refined Right to Read legislation. This legislation aims to protect the freedom to read in public schools and libraries across the Commonwealth.

“Massachusetts students and their families deserve access to books that reflect their lives and support their learning free from discrimination, political pressure, or unconstitutional censorship,” stated Deborah Lang Froggatt, Chair of the MSLA Legislative Committee. “This legislation provides school districts with the tools to create clear, fair, and transparent collection development policies, ensuring that librarians and educators are supported in upholding those standards.”

The Right to Read legislative framework, sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr, Representative John Moran, and Representative Jim Hawkins, establishes essential protections for the freedom to read. It requires both school and public libraries to maintain professional standards in their collection development, and it protects library workers and educators from retaliation for adhering to these standards in good faith.

“Our public libraries exist to serve everyone in the community,” remarked Will Adamczyk, Co-Chair of the MLA Legislative Committee. “This bill ensures that collections remain inclusive and professionally curated while helping to minimize the harassment some librarians have faced simply for doing their jobs and following the Constitution.”

Both associations expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their leadership and to the Library Caucus for its ongoing support. They also called on the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development to prioritize this legislation and bring it forward for a public hearing.

Massachusetts residents are encouraged to take action by visiting the joint advocacy page at https://action.everylibrary.org/mass_righttoread_2025 to send a message to their legislators in support of the Right to Read framework.