By Bob Katzen
House 153-3, approved a bill that supporters said would protect people’s access to library materials and guard against politically motivated book bans in Bay State school libraries and public libraries. The bill requires local policies to be developed using nationally recognized library standards and lays out a process around challenges to library materials. The bill also protects librarians and school library professionals from retaliation.
The Senate has already approved a different version of the measure and the House version now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Provisions in the House bill include giving students the right to receive information, including school library materials deemed educational and age appropriate; requiring that determinations about whether materials are age appropriate are made by qualified school library professionals using their professional training and expertise, and not based on personal, political or doctrinal beliefs; requiring school districts to adopt a written policy governing the selection and use of school library materials and facilities.
The House measure also requires public libraries to adopt and publicly post written policies governing the selection and use of library materials and facilities as well as mandating that the policies must incorporate the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights and ensure that materials are not selected, restricted or removed based on personal, political or doctrinal viewpoint.
“I am proud that the House passed my bill to prevent censorship and protect freedom of speech,” said sponsor Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough). “This is about defending something basic: the right of students and communities to be able to learn freely, encounter a broad spectrum of ideas and choose what they read without interference.”
“I learned from leaders who served in my seat before me – including the great Mel King – that there are moments when we must stand up for civil rights,” said another sponsor Rep. John Moran (D-Boston). “Today I stand with our librarians, our students and our commitment to intellectual freedom. At a time when the loudest voices too often dominate, libraries remain quiet spaces where curiosity is encouraged, knowledge is accessible and free expression is protected. Let us ensure they remain that way across the commonwealth.”
“Every person and student within the commonwealth deserves access to a strong and diverse selection of books professionally curated and set by national standards, not dictated by ideology or politics,” said Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), House Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. “By ensuring librarians are protected when performing their duties, and that our schools and public libraries have the support systems to comply with state law and national collection standards, we in Massachusetts are at the forefront of fighting against a new wave of censorship.”
Only three representatives voted against the bill – Reps. John Gaskey (R-Carver), David DeCoste (R-Norwell); and Donald Berthiaume (R-Spencer). None of them responded to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the bill.
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes