The assault on libraries must end
Great harm will come from the loss of these programs and services. Smaller libraries, which rely most heavily on these funding sources, will be disproportionately impacted; reducing resources in those communities who need them most will continue to widen the gap between wealthy and underserved communities.
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Here in Massachusetts, we understand the power of libraries. The Boston Public Library was the first large free municipal library in the United States, founded on the principle that access to knowledge is a right. Our mission is 'Free to All,' with equal emphasis on both 'free' and 'all.' No one is excluded from the vast resources and opportunities we steward, because public libraries are living proof that the concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion can and do work to build stronger communities. Just ask the 15,000 English language learners who passed through our doors last year.
The BPL welcomes more than 2 million visitors annually, and circulates more than 6 million books and digital resources to residents across the Commonwealth. Public libraries across the state play a similarly crucial role: According to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, more than
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A view of the grand staircase lions by Louis Saint-Gaudens at the Boston Public Library.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
Nationally, libraries have vast, bipartisan support. A
And yet, the freedom to read and access information is threatened by an unprecedented wave of book challenges across the country.
Libraries are at the forefront of defending these fundamental rights. Programs like BPL's 'Books Unbanned' initiative are critical, ensuring that teens nationwide — nearly 10,000 to date — can access vital information, even in communities where those resources are being restricted. As one teen reports: 'Having this access allows me to broaden my understanding of the governmental system, class struggles, the impact of race in our society, and minority group struggles.' Libraries are sanctuaries of intellectual freedom, ensuring that everyone — regardless of background — can explore the diverse perspectives that strengthen our democracy.
While the library is a bastion of intellectual freedom, its value goes beyond supporting noble ideals. For many people, their library is the only place to access the internet, apply for jobs, or to find a quiet space for study and reflection. Libraries also provide essential services to vulnerable populations, offering literacy programs, citizenship classes, and career workshops. They are not just buildings filled with books and big ideas; they are dynamic centers of opportunity, fueled by passionate, skilled library workers who understand and serve the unique needs of their communities.
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Michael Fulkerson, center, laughs with his granddaughter, Hannah Greenwell, while looking through records during the Record Show at the Daviess County Public Library on Apr. 5, 2025, in Owensboro, Ky.
Greg Eans/Associated Press
An inscription on the facade of the BPL's McKim building in Copley Square reminds us: 'The Commonwealth requires the education of the people as the safeguard of order and liberty.' Weakening libraries means weakening one of the supports of American society — a rare, precious space, open to all, where facts, knowledge, and education are celebrated.
Without these vital spaces of learning and access for all, our democracy risks eroding further from within. As the structures that fund and support our libraries are systematically dismantled, we as a society must protect these institutions by championing access to information and fostering inclusion.
Without strong libraries, we risk losing one of the last truly nonpartisan spaces where all voices are heard. Now is the time to act — through advocacy and action. Run for your local library board; join your local Friends of the Library group. Advocate for funding at local, state, and federal levels. We must stand up for stronger libraries and a stronger democracy — one based on freedom, not fear.
David Leonard is president of the Boston Public Library.
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