(NEW YORK)— Joining a growing number of states that are passing laws to protect the right to read, Rhode Island’s newly signed Freedom to Read Act provides safeguards for both public and school libraries, protections for librarians and staff and is the first in the nation to guarantee writers and readers a special right of action against censorship.
“Rhode Island’s Freedom to Read Act is the strongest of any freedom to read laws enacted to date. We applaud the advocates and legislators who brought this legislation to fruition, and Governor McKee for signing it into law. The law’s robust protections for librarians, writers, and readers set an exemplary model that we hope to see other states replicate,” said Laura Benitez, state policy manager at PEN America. “As the Trump administration and book-banning groups continue their attacks on libraries and free speech, we urge legislators nationwide to make their states safe havens for the freedom to read. You can never be too prepared to stop book bans.”
Book bans have spiked across the country since 2021, occurring in the majority of states with PEN America documenting over 10,000 bans in the 2023-2024 school year alone. Notably, Rhode Island’s Freedom to Read Act is the first in the nation to guarantee a private right of action against book restrictions to readers and writers impacted by censorship, offering a crucial tool to fight book bans.
The law balances state oversight with local control, aligns with the existing legal standards for obscenity, and requires following best practices without imposing financial penalties on libraries. The law also establishes vital defenses against criminal prosecution for librarians and school staff curating library collections according to their professional judgement and best practices.
Over the last few years, New Jersey, Maryland, and Minnesota have adopted strong right to read laws and other states have bills moving through their legislatures.
The bill passed as the result of a months-long campaign by a coalition of freedom to read advocates, including Rhode Island community members, Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans, Rhode Island Library Association, EveryLibrary, Author’s Guild, American Booksellers Association, Association of Rural and Small Libraries, Penguin Random House, PEN America, and numerous other organizations.
“Creativity is a courageous act that flourishes most when we are unafraid, and this law will help nurture our creators by supporting their right to write, which is vital. Most importantly, it supports the rights of our young people to read–especially young people who identify with marginalized groups to see themselves portrayed with respect in books created for them,” said Padma Venkatraman, co-leader of Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans and member of PEN America’s Children’s and Young Adult Books Committee. “We spent every waking minute building and broadening our coalition and trying to help our fellow citizens understand why this law was so important. I am deeply honored to have been part of this process and grateful that all of us in our state came together with our legislators to pass this bill and protect readers, writers and all the people behind books.”
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057