SEND AN EMAIL: Protect the Right to Read in Massachusetts
Help prioritize new protections for reading in schools and libraries.
Every student and every library user in Massachusetts deserves access to a wide range of books and information—free from political interference, censorship, or intimidation. But right now, that freedom is under threat in our schools and public libraries.
That’s why the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts School Library Association are supporting new legislation this session to safeguard our constitutional rights to free speech and free expression in both public and school libraries. Sponsored by Sen. Cyr and Rep. Moran, and Rep. Hawkins, these Right to Read bill will ensure that every library and every school in the Commonwealth has fair, transparent, and professionally guided collection development policies, and that no educator or librarian is punished for doing their job.
Massachusetts has seen a disturbing rise in attempts to censor books, threaten library staff, and push political agendas that undermine educational integrity and community trust. Right to Read legislation will:
-
Affirms every person’s First Amendment rights by ensuring access to a wide range of books and materials in schools and libraries.
-
Requires that all libraries and school districts to adopt formal collection development policies that are publicly available, transparent, and designed to support diverse, inclusive collections.
-
Protects library and school staff from retaliation for following those policies and serving their communities.
-
Ensures consistency and fairness across Massachusetts so that no one’s right to read depends on their zip code or the political climate of the day.
Despite broad public support and expert testimony, these bills have stalled in previous sessions. It’s time to act.
Massachusetts can and must lead the way in affirming the values of intellectual freedom, inclusion, and professional integrity. This year, with unified support and renewed momentum, we have the opportunity to update, harmonize, and consolidate prior efforts into a strong, unified Right to Read law.
But we need your voice to get it done. Send a message to your state Representative and Senator today and ask them to make the right to read a priority this session.