Libraries and library workers have been subject to boatloads of cruel and unnecessary legislation over the last half decade. They’re losing their rights to do their jobs and the ability to protect their patrons’ rights in numerous states, with the federal government also trying to step in and decide which books can and cannot be accessible to all.
Libraries and library workers have also been subject to new laws and protections during this rise in attacks on democratic institutions. We’ve seen many states pass freedom-to-read laws and/or enact legislation protecting library workers from workplace retaliation or harassment. Much of this work is in large part thanks to libraries and library advocates showing up in the places where their voices need to be heard: the legislature.
But some librarians are going even further. This year, a number of librarians across the United States are putting their hats in the ring to serve in their state congress. Last year, India May shared her story of going from quiet librarian to loud force in Iowa’s legislature. May was spurred into action following a slate of anti-library bills that floated through the state legislature in 2025; now, on the heels of even more bad ...
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