Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District Manhattan, announced the introduction of legislation intended to put a stop to the rising national trend of library censorship in New York State. This legislation will prohibit any library system, including school libraries, from banning books or other learning materials due to doctrinal or partisan disapproval.

Assemblymember Glick said, “The growing trend of library censorship is deeply troubling and contrary to an open and free society. The Legislature must address this now. We must not let a vocal minority silence the voices of African Americans, indigenous Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others from sharing their insights and experiences with library patrons. I eagerly look forward to advancing this straightforward bill that simply will not allow library censorship be used as a silencing tool.”

Book bans have been increasing in number over the past few years, especially in public K-12 libraries. PEN America, a nationwide organization dedicated to protecting literary freedom reports that 3,362 books were banned in school libraries during the 2022-23 school year, a 33% increase from the previous year. Libraries are institutions of academic and intellectual enrichment, and should not be subjected to censorship on the basis of personal disagreement among a minority of library patrons or school parents.