Legislators, advocates rally in support of freedom to read
STATE HOUSE — Rep. David Morales and Sen. Mark McKenney were joined by the Rhode Island Library Association, the American Library Association, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and local authors and advocates at a State House event Thursday to call for the passage of legislation to protect libraries and their patrons from partisan or doctrinal book-banning efforts and to affirm the free speech rights of authors, publishers and readers in Rhode Island.
“We can decide what books we want to check out from the library, and we can decide what our own children read or don’t read. But what we can’t do is decide what everyone else gets to read or what other people’s children get to read or not read,” said Senator McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick). “Reading is a gift, and it is so important that we stay protective of the gift of reading and that when someone wants to take it away, whether by banning books directly or by launching lawsuits attempting to intimidate libraries, schools and librarians because of a book they have on their shelves, we fight.”
The Freedom to Read Act (2025-H 5726, 2025-S 0238), sponsored by Senator McKenney and Representative Morales, would charge the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the chief of library services, to develop policies regarding library collection policies for public and school libraries in order to provide standards for the selection and curation of library material, establish criteria for the removal of existing school library material and provide protection against attempts to censor library material. These policies would be designed to support the freedom to read as a human right, encourage and protect the freedom of public libraries to acquire books and other materials without external limitations and ensure that these materials not be banned, removed, censored or have access to them restricted due to doctrinal or partisan disapproval.
“From Providence to Bristol to Warwick to Pawtucket and all across Rhode Island, we believe in the freedom to read,” said Representative Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence). “Throughout history, books have been the heartbeat of human progress. They challenge us, they open doors into worlds we would never otherwise know and they amplify voices that would otherwise go unheard. There is no greater champion for freedom and open access to knowledge than our public libraries, yet across the country, including in our backyard, books are facing the threat of being pulled from the shelves and librarians are being harassed for simply doing their jobs. But when has censorship ever been on the right side of history? Together, we are ready to show that in Rhode Island, we stand for the freedom to read.”
The bill would also establish an anti-censorship claim that would allow librarians, students or their parents or guardians, authors, booksellers and publishers to pursue legal damages against attempted censorship by government entities.
“Children are naturally curious about their world, and our goal should be to ignite their passion for learning, giving them the tools to address their questions and leave them wanting more. In order to inspire reading, our youth need to see themselves in the books on our library shelves. Librarians have a professional responsibility to provide a diversity of materials in our collection that reflect all of the people in our American society,” said Cheryl Space, library director of the Community Libraries of Providence. “Please pass this bill and let all Rhode Islanders know that they are valued and that their history, their point of view and their stories will be protected in our library collections.”
Finally, the bill would provide an affirmative defense for libraries, schools, museums and their employees against charges of promoting obscene material, meaning that they can negate all liability in obscenity cases brought against them by credibly showing they were acting in accordance with their educational mission.
Also speaking at the event were Beatrice Pulliam, president of the Rhode Island Library Association; Rabbi Jeffery Goldwasser of Temple Sinai Cranston, representing the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island; Rosie Stewart, senior manager for public policy at Penguin Random House; Aaron Coutu-Jones, director of the Warwick Public Library; Cathy G. Johnson, a Rhode Island-based author; and youth organizers from the ARISE foundation
The event was also attended by Senate Majority Leader Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln), Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester), Sens. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham), Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence), Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol), Peter A. Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. Warwick), Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown), Samuel W. Bell (D-Dist. 5, Providence), Water S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), Tiara T. Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence) and Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Reps. Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton), Megan L. Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton), June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston), Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence), Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) and Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket).
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