Readers Say “It's time we trusted and allowed skilled professionals to do the jobs they are trained for,” one respondent said. Helen Pachenko manages the foreign languages collection at the Newton Free Library in Newton Massachusetts April 27, 2026. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Gov. Maura Healey has until next week to decide whether to sign a bill giving librarians more authority over what stays on their shelves, a measure that Boston.com readers overwhelmingly support.

The bill, S.2696, would put much of that authority in the hands of librarians and library staff. Under the proposal, staff could choose and display materials based on their professional judgment and training, rather than outside political pressure, provided the material is educationally and age-appropriate.

A book also couldn’t simply be pulled on a single objection; removing it would require a formal challenge, a public hearing, and a vote from the relevant school committee or board of trustees, with an option to appeal that decision in court. The bill also protects librarians from being disciplined or losing their jobs over collection decisions made in good faith and in line with the law.

Lawmakers sent the bill to the governor’s desk on July 31 with overwhelming support: the House passed it 152-1, and the Senate cleared it on a voice vote. The legislation follows a sharp rise in challenges to library materials both in Massachusetts and around the country in recent years, something supporters say has left librarians vulnerable to organized campaigns rather than genuine community concern.

We asked readers to weigh in on the legislation, and heard from readers on both sides. Of the 87 respondents to our poll, 82% said they’d support giving librarians the deciding power over their shelves, while 15% said they wouldn’t, and just 3 readers said their answer depends on the circumstances.

Many supporters framed the issue as a matter of professional expertise, rather than personal choice. 

“Librarians are trained to evaluate materials that support educational principles and serve the people in their community,” Mark P. of Ludlow said. “There are very structured principals to guide this process that are not based on political or personal biases.”

Others, like Jean H. of Jamaica Plain, wrote from experience in the field. 

“I am a retired librarian, and we use our professional training to carefully select materials that are appropriate for our communities,” she said, adding, “We try to find materials that are inclusive and provide a wide variety of viewpoints.”

Some readers framed it as a question of who a library collection is meant to serve. 

“Libraries serve the entire community, and have extensive education and training,” wrote Jenny F. of Methuen. “One patron’s taste should not censor what a community may read.”

Not every reader agreed, though, and those in opposition raised concerns about parent’s rights and local control. 

Below, we’ve compiled the full range of reader responses.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Would you support a bill to give librarians the deciding power to stock their shelves?Yes, I would support it

“As a librarian and parent, I 100% support this bill. It is designed to put the decision of curating a library collection more firmly in the hands of those who are trained and educated on how to do it. Librarians work to curate a collection specifically for our communities with books that serve as mirrors (reflecting students’ lives), windows (seeing lives unlike their own), and sliding doors (stepping into imaginary worlds). This bill in no way takes away a family’s right to decide what their children read, it just makes it harder for them to ban all children from reading a book.” — Annette, Framingham

“Librarians are trained in collection management to meet the needs of their community. This bill mostly mandates that libraries develop policies around collection management, which provides a means for the public to object if they think there is an issue with a title. If they got something wrong, the policy provides a means to appeal to a Board of Trustees or School Committee, as it should.” — K.L. Seekonk

“Librarians are trained to use objective criteria to curate a tailored collection for their community. Their personal and political opinions do not influence collection development. This legislation in no way undermines parents or gives special privileges to librarians over other citizens. Every parent absolutely has the right and power to help choose reading materials for their children. Librarians will help every reader find the right book for the moment.” — Christine M.

“Libraries are the last bastion of free expression. No one is forced to read a book or see a presentation that they disagree with. But their beliefs should never be forced on those who wish to expand their knowledge.” — Susan P., Hopkinton

“Freedom of speech, and expression, is primary for education, not censorship. If parents don’t want their kids reading certain books, they can regulate within their own families. Learning diverse points of view is essential for an educated populace.” — M.B., Brighton

“Retired children’s and teen librarian here. I occasionally heard from parents who thought certain books should not be on the shelf. Sometimes they would steal them, hide or check them out and not return them. That gave me an opportunity to order a newer edition. Three thoughts: If you don’t want your child to read a book, don’t have them read it. You are not allowed to tell other people’s children what to read. Do you want others telling you what you can [and] cannot read? I also would politely ask which part(s) they objected to. Sadly, people are running for school [and] library boards with the sole determination to tell the rest of us what we can read.” — Susan, Lunenburg

“Librarians are trained to make sure all readers are represented and have resources for all their learning needs. School librarians, in particular, are subject to the caprices of parents who might be influenced by outside groups  to restrict access to students based on their individual opinions. Frightening!” — Barb F., Beverly

“Librarians are trained to do their job. As a parent, it would be my duty/responsibility to review what my child is reading. But that does not make it okay for me to dictate what others have access to or to dictate how someone who has spent many years training for their job, reviewing relevant literature, etc. should do their job.” — Sarah, Lowell

“Librarians are required to have a Master in Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) before they can be hired for the position. The training, both undergraduate and masters, is intense and requires years of study. Collection development decisions are made using many determining factors in which librarians are trained. These are not willy-nilly decisions. Librarians take these decisions — on both titles and spending taxpayer dollars — seriously. It’s time we trusted and allowed skilled professionals to do the jobs they are trained for.” — Anna M., Framingham

“I’m a degree-credentialed librarian. I have studied and worked hard in this field. If people don’t want to read a title or a parent doesn’t want their child to read a title, they have that right. However, they do NOT have the right to tell others what they or their children may read. This has nothing at all to do with parents’ rights and everything about control.” — Kelly D., West Barnstable

No, I wouldn’t support it

“This runs the risk of a librarian making decisions based on his/her politics rather than what most people would consider appropriate.” — C.F.V., Cape Cod

“Individual librarians should not be the sole decision makers. If a book is considered to be too controversial to shelve, for whatever reason, it should be put to community vote. Communities should have a say.” — Katie, Arlington

“While librarians might have more knowledge of collection development, the community-at-large should be able to have a say on what goes on the shelf at their community public library. It is their tax money, after all, that funds the budget.” — Krysten L., Pinehurst

“Librarians shouldn’t push the envelope. Librarians should remain within the middle of the road.” — Scooter R., Boston

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.