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Trustees briefed on proposed Massachusetts bills that could hold librarians criminally liable for materials
Summary
Trustees reviewed a one-page legislative update about state bills under consideration that trustees said would attempt to expose librarians or libraries to prosecution for certain materials; trustees were urged to contact local legislators in opposition or to support library caucus efforts to keep such measures from advancing.
Trustees were briefed on current Massachusetts legislation affecting libraries and were urged to contact state legislators about several bills that trustees said would expand criminal liability for librarians who maintain certain materials in library collections.
A trustee summarized recent legislative outreach after attending a legislative breakfast, saying some legislators present thought a controversial amendment ‘‘will not let this out of committee’’ because the Massachusetts Library Caucus would oppose it. The trustee said the packet included an overview of bills and emphasized constituent contact: "The legislators urge us to do over and over again is contact your local legislature and say, hey, please support these bills," she said, advising trustees to email legislators to register support for library-protective measures.
The update did not list bill numbers or full text during the public discussion, and trustees said the Mass. Library Association legislative committee will provide further updates as bills move through committee. One trustee said she could not tell at what stage the bills were and described them as still in committee and under language revision.
Trustees agreed the topic was significant and that individual trustees could contact state representatives and senators to urge them to support specific library-related positions and cosponsor protective legislation.
Ending: Trustees took the one-page legislative summary for their records and were encouraged to contact legislators; the library will rely on the Massachusetts Library Association for ongoing tracking.
