Governor McKee Signs Freedom to Read Act

Published on Tuesday, August 12, 2025

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee was joined by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Valarie Lawson, and bill sponsors Representative David Morales and Senator Mark McKenney today for a ceremonial signing of the Freedom to Read Act at Rochambeau Library, one of the Community Libraries of Providence. Also in attendance were Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Community Libraries of Providence Director Cheryl Space, and Freedom to Read Coalition member Nicole P. Dyszlewski.

“Public libraries are places where you can find yourself in other people’s words. The differing experiences and world views captured in books are as varied and interesting as every individual who is browsing the shelves,” said Governor McKee. “In Rhode Island, we promote free expression. We don’t restrict it. And in Rhode Island, we see censorship for what it is: a way to limit what we can learn about the world—and about each other.”

The legislation encourages library selections that provide a wide range of viewpoints and prohibits the censorship of library materials. It mandates the creation of a model policy for materials in public and school libraries, and it offers library staff members protection from civil and criminal liability for following that model policy in good faith.

“The passage of the Freedom to Read Act is a powerful victory for democracy, education, and the fundamental right to access knowledge,” said Representative David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence). “After years of advocacy from librarians, educators, parents, students, and community leaders, we’ve made it clear that no one should be able to censor books or intimidate those who share them. This law protects the freedom to explore, learn, and grow. Most of all, this ensures our libraries remain inclusive spaces for all. This is more than policy; it’s a promise to future generations that their right to read, to learn, and to be seen will not be determined by fear or political agendas. It’s a promise that our stories matter.”

“We can decide what books we want to check out from the library, and we can decide what our own children read or don’t read. But what we can’t do is decide what everyone else gets to read or what other people’s children get to read or not read,” said Senator McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick). “Reading is a gift, and it is so important that we stay protective of the gift of reading and that when someone wants to take it away, whether by banning books directly or by launching lawsuits attempting to intimidate libraries, schools, and librarians because of a book they have on their shelves, we fight.”

“As a lawyer, librarian, and law professor at Roger Williams University School of Law and one of the leaders of the RI Freedom to Read Coalition, I have advocated for the passage of this law to protect and affirm the free speech rights of authors and an individual’s right to make their own decisions in what they read,” said Freedom to Read Coalition member Nicole P. Dyszlewski. “This law sends a moral statement that the stories of all children, all parents, all library patrons, and all scholars have value, and that you don’t have to agree with someone to recognize the value in their story and their voice. This is the lesson we all need to hear right now, and Rhode Island is sending that message loud and clear.”