Written Testimony to Delaware Legislative Committees Endorsing HB299
We were proud to be invited to provide written testimony to the Delaware State Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee and to the Delaware House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in support of HB299, the "Libraries for All" Act. This landmark legislation would provide for public library collection development, display, programming, and meeting room policies to be written in compliance with state civil rights and public accommodation laws along with the limited public forum provisions of the First Amendment and state constitution.
To the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee
EveryLibrary Institute NFP
6433 Fairfield Ave
Berwyn, IL. 60402
May 22, 2024 - 152nd General Assembly
To the Honorable Sen. Darius J. Brown, Chair, the Honorable Sen. Stephanie L. Hansen, Vice Chair, and Members of the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee:
The EveryLibrary Institute, a national non-profit dedicated to supporting libraries and ensuring access to information for all, strongly supports House Bill 299, the “Delaware Libraries for All Act”. This bill is pivotal in affirming the role of libraries as cornerstones of free expression, education, and community engagement. We stand alongside the Delaware Library Association, the Friends of Delaware Libraries, and the state Council on Libraries in endorsing its passage.
House Bill 299 ensures that public library boards in Delaware establish collection development policies that are in alignment with the First Amendment, the Delaware Constitution's free speech clause, and the state’s public accommodation laws. By doing so, this bill upholds the principles of free speech and religious liberty while simultaneously preventing government overreach into the autonomy of local libraries.
At its core, HB299 champions the protection of individual liberties by ensuring that library collections encompass multiple viewpoints and identities, thereby fostering an environment free from unconstitutional censorship. This commitment to diversity in thought and expression is critical in maintaining libraries as places of free thought and broad perspective. Moreover, HB299 is a proactive measure against discrimination in any form, aligning library policies with state public accommodation laws to ensure that access to public services is devoid of discrimination. This legislation ensures that public libraries serve all community members without bias, reinforcing that access to knowledge and resources is a right for all Delawareans, not a privilege for some.
Unlike other states' legislation, the bill also distinguishes itself by not modifying longstanding legal doctrines concerning obscenity, nor does it curb the constitutional right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Instead, it focuses on empowering library governing boards within Delaware to make informed decisions that reflect the needs and values of their communities. The EveryLibrary Institute urges this esteemed Committee to advance HB299 and help ensure that libraries across Delaware remain vital resources that reflect our shared commitments to liberty, equality, and access for all.
Respectfully submitted,
John Chrastka
Executive Director, EveryLibrary Institute
To the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee
152nd General Assembly
Representative William Bush, Chair
Representative William J. Carson, Vice Chair
12 March 2024
To the Honorable Chair, Vice-Chair, and Committee Members:
Thank you for conducting a public hearing today on HB299, the Delaware Libraries for All Act. Our organization, EveryLibrary, is a national library advocacy and policy organization with a network in Delaware and across the country who are concerned with and active about library issues. We are writing today to endorse HB299 and encourage favorable passage by the Committee.
The Delaware Libraries for All Act represents an important step forward in the fight against the rising tide of censorship and discrimination, particularly as it pertains to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors, titles, and readers. In an era where book bans are increasingly being used as tools for discrimination, HB299 seeks to affirm and protect the First Amendment rights of all Delawareans through the inclusion of libraries within the scope of state public accommodation laws.
State public accommodations laws are foundational civil rights statutes that prohibit discrimination in public spaces on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Extending these protections to include the right to read and access a diverse range of viewpoints without fear of censorship is not only about protecting individual freedoms; it is about affirming our collective commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It ensures that libraries can develop their collections, programs, and services free from bias and fear. HB299 ensures that library policies across Delaware will support these principles.
In the face of nationwide increases in book bans and restrictive policies, particularly those targeting LGBTQ+ issues, racial issues, and social justice, the Delaware Libraries for All Act stands as a vital defense against these regressive actions. Thank you for considering this important legislation.
Sincerely,
John Chrastka
Executive Director, EveryLibrary
[email protected]
312-574-0316