1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

The Alabama Library Bill of Rights affirms the fundamental rights of free speech, freedom to read, and intellectual freedom that libraries must uphold for all people. To enshrine these principles into law, I propose introducing legislation in the 2025 session to formally adopt the Alabama Library Bill of Rights as state policy. This bill would ensure libraries remain forums for diverse ideas and viewpoints, preventing censorship or denial of access based on partisan objections. It safeguards patrons' privacy rights regarding their library usage. The bill allows parents to guide their children's reading while protecting others' intellectual freedom. Critically, it mandates libraries advocate against censorship attempts that infringe on free expression. Enshrining the Alabama Library Bill of Rights into law upholds core democratic values and the public's right to access information freely. I urge your support for this legislation protecting intellectual freedom in our libraries.