Fwd: [SCLA] Update About the Freedom to Read Act

[Tim Spindler]

Here is a message from Kerri Souto from SCLS on the Freedom to Read Act.

Tim Spindler (he/him)

Executive Director | Long Island Library Resources Council

Past President - New York Library Association

Sustainability Team Member

tspi...@lilrc.org | 631-675-1570 x2000

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Kerri Souto via scla <sc...@lists.suffolknet.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Subject: [SCLA] Update About the Freedom to Read Act
To: SCLA ListServ <sc...@lists.suffolknet.org>
Cc: Kerri Souto <ke...@suffolknet.org>

Colleagues:

I'm writing to make you aware that NYLA is encouraging library advocates to reach out to their assemblymembers and remind them of the importance of the Freedom to Read Act, which would require the commissioner of education to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and school library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.  

The Freedom to Read Act (S8630C/A9537B) recently passed the NYS Senate and is currently being considered by the Assembly as our legislators work to act on a variety of policy priorities before session ends this week. 

While this legislation applies only to school libraries, the fact is that libraries across our state face outside efforts to censor materials and programming deemed objectionable based on subjective personal sensibilities and partisan ideologies, and this legislation will empower school library professionals to utilize their expertise and ensure students can access developmentally appropriate materials that represent a variety of interests and is a necessary protection for libraries in New York. 

Find Your Assemblymember

Best,

Kerri

Kerri Ann Souto (she/her/hers)

Government and Community Relations Coordinator

Suffolk Cooperative Library System
627 N. Sunrise Service Road
Bellport, NY 11713
631-286-1600 Ext. 1333

_______________________________________________
scla mailing list
sc...@lists.suffolknet.org
http://lists.suffolknet.org/listinfo/scla