The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending April 10, 2026
Among the week's headlines: a 'freedom to read' bill lands in Congress; Alaska's freedom to read bill advances; PEN America launches a program to protect authors; Minnesota's library ebook bill stalls; Tamika Barnes wins the ALA presidency; and check out the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award winners.
Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley Introduces Freedom to Read Bill in Congress
Among the many takeaways from the Eighth Circuit’s decision this week to allow Iowa’s book banning law S.F. 496 to go into effect is that the courts alone will likely not be enough to protect the freedom to read in our schools and libraries. Legislation must also be part of the solution.
On that score, Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) this week announced the introduction of the Books Save Lives Act of 2026, federal legislation that, according to a release, "aims to promote inclusive literature and to counter the right wing attacks on the freedom to read nationwide."
Ricardo Sanchez
Pressley announced the bill this week at a community “read-in” event at All She Wrote Books in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Among the bill’s provisions, the Books Save Lives Act would ensure primary and secondary schools have a library with a trained librarian; require public libraries and school libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books; classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights laws; and direct the Government Accountability Office to report on the effect of book bans on underrepresented communities. The bill’s text is available here.
The measure has so far picked up some 22 co-sponsors, and the endorsement of publishers (including four of the Big Five Publishers—with HarperCollins a notable absence) as well as several freedom to read organizations, including We Need Diverse Books, American Booksellers for Free Expression, Authors Against Book Bans, the Authors Guild, EveryLibrary, and the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), among others.
The bill is the second in support of libraries and the freedom to read introduced in this Congress, joining the bicameral Right to Read Act, introduced in December 2025 by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07).
The legislation also comes as Congress is currently considering a book banning bill, H.R. 7661, put forth by House Republicans that would block federal funding for schools that refuse to ban so-called "sexually explicit" material.
Major Publishers, PEN America Team Up for a Program to Protect Authors Facing Harassment
strimel
PEN America, with support from several major publishing houses and literary agencies, announced a plan this week to establish a "U.S. Author Safety Program" to help protect writers facing "harassment and threats driven by a pernicious wave of censorship that is eroding free expression and disrupting authors’ professional lives."
Under the program, PEN America plans to offer "safety training, consultations, resources and peer support for U.S. authors who are facing harassment and security risks connected to their work." The program is slated to roll out starting this summer.
“We have heard from countless authors, illustrators, and translators who are under siege, fending off a steady stream of abuse and threats, online and at book events,” said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, co-chief executive officer of PEN America. “Through this new program, the literary and publishing community is stepping up together because writers should not be forced to choose between their safety and their voice."
Freedom to Read Bill Advancing in Alaska
Tim Bradner For the Frontiersman
The Frontiersman reports that a bill to protect librarians and the freedom to read is advancing in the Alaska State Senate. “The Senate Education Committee held two hearings on SB 238 and sent the bill, titled the ‘Freedom to Read Act’ out of committee March 23, on to the Senate Judiciary Committee,” the outlet reports.
Notably, the Alaska bill also creates a private right of action that allows students, parents and guardians, authors, booksellers, or publishers to file a civil lawsuit if library material is unduly censored, much like the Rhode Island freedom to read law passed last year that is widely considered to be the gold standard for such laws. “This gives power directly to those affected by censorship and provides an avenue for recourse,” the bill’s author, senator Scott Kawaski told reporters.
Minnesota's Library Ebook Bill Stalls Over a Procedural Dispute
Lisa Kaczke
You can add Minnesota to the list of states considering a library ebook bill, with the introduction of HF3698. However, the Minnesota Legislature reports that the bill stalled this week after "a partisan dispute" over deadlines and procedures. "HF3698, as amended, would address a 'growing imbalance in the digital book marketplace,' said Sarah Hawkins, legislative committee co-chair of the Minnesota Library Association," the report notes.
Once again, the Association of American Publishers voiced opposition, telling lawmakers that when "publishers can’t meet the contract demands laid out in the bill, libraries will lose access to new releases, have higher costs, and be unable to license ebooks entirely," the report states.
As Words & Money reported last month, one of the goals of this current wave of library ebook legislation is to bring negotiation into a digital library marketplace that currently lacks it. But in their testimony against the bill, the Authors Guild offered this interesting bit of insight: "Publishers will likely not concede to changing the terms and their business model, and as a consequence, Minnesota libraries would not be able to license many new books or renew existing licenses for what could be a substantial portion of their catalogue."
New Hampshire Lawmakers Push Yet Another Book Banning Bill
Jon Schoenheider
Freedom to read advocates in New Hampshire are hoping that the third time won't be a charm for New Hampshire lawmakers. According to WMUR, lawmakers in the Granite State are debating yet another bill that would allow families to challenge books and other materials at public schools. "This is the third year that lawmakers have tried to pass such legislation," the report states, adding that Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed a different version of the measure last year.
Texas Library Debates Changes to Its Collection Policy
Andy Lusk
KERA News reports that "after weeks of back-and-forth" over how the current development policy at the Irving (Texas) Public Library should be changed, the Irving Public Library Board this week submitted "a slate of proposed changes" to the library's collection policy, particularly as it concerns diverse books.
According to the report, one resident said the newly worded book collection policy "contains vague descriptions and relies heavily upon subjective content definitions,” and that the changes are apparently being made to appease a conservative political action committee, Families For Irving, which, KERA notes, exists to ensure that Irving’s "cultural" institutions, including its libraries, "reflect the traditional family values of our community."
Canadian Librarians Push Back Against Alberta's Proposed Censorship
Tobi Ikuepamitan
In a release this week, The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries), which represents some 324 public library service points across the province of Alberta, warned against a controversial measure, Bill 28, aimed at keeping allegedly "sexually explicit materials" away from minors in public spaces. "If passed, this bill would undermine access to information, local decision-making, and the privacy of Albertans,” said Ron Sheppard, Director of Parkland Regional Library System, in a release. “Library staff work every day to support families and respect parental responsibility. Bill 28 would place library workers in gatekeeping roles that don’t reflect how public libraries operate and would make everyday service far more difficult for communities across Alberta."
The release also points to a January 2026 survey commissioned by the CAP Libraries and carried out by Alberta pollster Janet Brown which found that 82% of Alberta residents trust their public libraries to make appropriate decisions about what materials are available, and 69% believe trained library staff should make such decisions rather than politicians. "This confirms that public libraries are among Alberta’s most trusted and widely used public institutions," the group noted, and that "a vast majority of Albertans trust public librarians more than provincial leaders to make decisions about library materials."
Are Book Bans Causing Publishers to Cut Back on Books for Young Readers?
Kelly Jensen
Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen leads off her weekly censorship news column with a look at how book bans appear to be contributing to a "softening school and library market."
"In mid-March, Dial Books, a long-time imprint at Penguin Random House, shut down unexpectedly," Jensen writes. "Industry chatter suggested that one of the key reasons for this decision was a 'softening' of the school and library market. That’s the kind phrasing for libraries and schools are no longer buying books the way they once did... While books have been banned nationwide in unbelievable numbers since 2021, that’s not been the only thing happening. Numerous schools and libraries nationwide have been told they cannot purchase new materials, while others have been told that in order to acquire new materials, they need to jump through several hoops before they can hit purchase.”
Tamika Barnes Wins 2027-2028 ALA Presidency
Via American Libraries, congratulations to Tamika Barnes, associate dean of Perimeter College Library Services at Georgia State University in Atlanta, who has been elected 2026–2027 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA). Barnes received 3,827 votes, while her opponent, Becky Calzada, district library coordinator at Leander (Tex.) Independent School District, received 2,742 votes. You can check out the full ALA election results on the ALA Elections page.
In her candidate statement published in American Libraries in March, Barnes said her presidency would focus on four pillars: "unified advocacy; inclusive leadership and professional growth; equity, access, and intellectual freedom; and transparency and stewardship." Barnes will assume the ALA presidency at the conclusion of the 2027 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries at the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts will be inaugurated as the 2026-2027 president at the conclusion of this year's ALA Annual Conference.
Chicago Public Library, Schools Partner to Expand Access
Michael Liptrot
Book Club Chicago reports on the expansion of The 81 Club, a partnership between the Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Schools that allows "school identification cards to double as library cards."
Named after the city’s 81 library locations, "the program builds on a 2022 pilot and looks to remove any barriers to accessing the library system’s six million-item collection as well as its online databases and free academic support, according to the city," the report notes. “This partnership is what it looks like in action when young people have access, not just to books, but to stories, art and creative expression," said Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs acting commissioner Kenya Merritt. "What’s really powerful about this collaboration is that it’s going to reach every single CPS student. That’s how we make equity real."
And Finally This Week...
Chase Ollis
The American Library Association this week announced the winners of the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award.
The 2026 award winners are: Mahasin Ameen (Indiana University, Indianapolis); Valerie Byrd Fort (University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.); Jenny Cox (Georgetown Middle School, Georgetown, S.C.); Joanne Doucette (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Mass.); Tracy Fitzmaurice (Fontana Regional Library, Bryson City, N.C.); Mia Gittlen (Milpitas High School, Milpitas, Calif.); Mary Anne Russo (Hubbard Public Library, Hubbard, Ohio); Deb Sica (Alameda County Library, Fremont, Calif.); Zachary Stier (Ericson Public Library, Boone, Iowa); Christine Szeluga (Cranford High School, Cranford, N.J.).
“These librarians are people who power possibility in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our places of higher learning," ALA President Sam Helmick, in a statement. "Their leadership, creativity, and innovation strengthen the communities they serve, and we are proud to honor them.”
Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend ALA’s Annual Conference, where they will be celebrated on Friday, June 26 (the event will also be livestreamed on ALA’s YouTube channel).
