New Report: Wins, Warnings, and Ongoing Legislative Fights for Libraries in 2024
In the new December report "Wins, Warnings, and Ongoing Legislative Fights for Libraries in 2024", EveryLibrary staff unpack and analyze both positive and negative bills that impact libraries, readers, and our rights as Americans.
The story of state and federal library legislation in 2024 is a story about two Americas. One America is interested in preserving, protecting, and extending the rights of readers, the abilities of librarians, and the efficacy of school libraries, public libraries, and academic libraries. The other America is interested in bringing a culture war to libraries that restrict access even as it attacks books as proxies for people.
Download the full report "Wins, Warnings, and Ongoing Legislative Fights for Libraries in 2024" as a PDF version or as a Word version.
Negative Bills in 2024
In 2024, 123 negative bills were introduced across 29 states. Of those, 8 bills passed into law, 7 were enacted, and 1 was vetoed. 96 bills failed or died, and 19 bills remain open or pre-filed. As library advocates and professionals, we must be concerned about the negative bills in 2024 for several reasons. Many of these bills undermine the principles of free speech, posing a direct threat to open access to information. These measures attempt to restrict access to a wide range of materials, limiting the ability of individuals—including minors—to explore diverse ideas and perspectives. Several bills target content selection policies in public and school libraries, imposing state-level definitions or procedures to determine what materials are deemed appropriate or acceptable for minors. Additionally, bills that mandate age verification or monitoring of online activities raise significant privacy concerns, potentially leading to increased surveillance and the erosion of individuals' privacy rights. These requirements could also create barriers to accessing essential online information and resources. Moreover, restrictions on material availability and the introduction of parental notification policies for explicit content in educational curricula could hinder educators' ability to offer comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate instruction. Overall, these initiatives are likely to have a chilling effect on libraries and schools, limiting students' access to a wide range of age-appropriate ideas, voices, and experiences.
Positive Bills in 2024
By our tracking, 70 positive bills about library issues were introduced in 2024, with 11 enacted and the remaining 59 either withdrawn or dying at the end of the session (including in Lame Duck sessions). No favorable federal legislation was passed in the second half of the 118th Congress. These positive bills aimed to protect intellectual freedom, prevent censorship, and ensure equitable access to library resources. Key provisions of these bills focused on safeguarding the right to read by prohibiting the removal or restriction of materials based on their content, viewpoint, or the characteristics of their authors or subjects. Several laws required public and school libraries to adopt transparent, inclusive collection development policies, while also protecting librarians and staff from retaliation for adhering to these policies. Additionally, many bills reinforced the importance of ensuring that library collections reflect diverse perspectives, prohibit discrimination in resource selection, and promote equal access for all community members. These laws represent a growing commitment to preserving libraries as vital, open spaces for diverse ideas and unrestricted access to information.
Download a PDF version of the full report "Wins, Warnings, and Ongoing Legislative Fights for Libraries in 2024" or a Word version of the full report.