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Boston Globe

R.I. Senate backs uniform process to respond to book ban attempts, passes ‘Freedom to Read Act'

He said one key change to this year's bill is that it requires people challenging a book to have 'a vested interest' in the community. So someone challenging a book in a public library must live in that community, and someone challenging a book in a school library must be a a parent, guardian, or teacher of a student enrolled there, he said. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up 'This addresses the problem that's occurred with national organizations coming in from outside' that 'have an agenda, looking to ban 50 books.' He cited a Advertisement McKenney said he wishes there was a requirement that people read a book before challenging it, but that's not in the bill. Related : The bill would shield librarians from criminal or civil charges arising from their book collections. And it would allow a librarian who has been subjected to discipline or termination 'for refusing to censor library materials' to file an 'anti-censorship' lawsuit. Advertisement McKenney said a Westerly High School teacher ended up being 'harassed' after a complaint about a book was filed. 'Librarians shouldn't have to put up with that type of thing,' he said. 'Teachers shouldn't have to put up with that type of thing.' Rhode Island Library Association President Beatrice Pulliam has said Rhode Island is the only state in New England that does not protect library staff from criminal prosecution for the content of book collections. According to the EveryLibrary Institute, 44 states have exemptions or defenses from from prosecution under obscenity laws for certain professions or workplaces, and 31 have specific exemptions for libraries. Three Republican senators voted against the bill, as did Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat. 'I do not support banning books,' said Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, a North Smithfield Republican. 'Adults may choose whatever books or media they want, whether they access them online, if it's at a public library, a store — whatever they want is fine with me." But, de la Cruz said, 'I do believe there are materials that are not age appropriate, that children should not have unfettered access to in public school libraries.' She said the bill applies the same standards to public libraries as it does to public school libraries. 'And that's where we take issue,' de la Cruz said. 'Those institutions are not the same. A parent can decide whether or not to go into a public library, and they have the ability to supervise what materials their child has access to. And the same does not apply in public school libraries.' Related : Advertisement Meanwhile, Representative David Morales, a Providence Democrat, has filed a House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, issued a statement this week, saying, 'I support the concept of the bill, but the House is working on a possible amendment addressing specific language about the private right of action contained within the legislation.' Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at