State Senate Passes California Freedom to Read Act, Targeting Book Bans at Public Libraries
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Yesterday, the California State Senate passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1825 authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and coauthored by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine). Known as the California Freedom to Read Act, the bill is designed to fight back against book bans that silence communities of color and LGBTQ voices. AB 1825 would prohibit public libraries from banning books based on partisan or political reasons, viewpoint discrimination, gender, sexual identity, religion, disability, or on the basis that the books contain inclusive and diverse perspectives.
“California has an obligation to protect the fundamental right of access to diverse and inclusive books and library materials for everyone. The freedom to read is not only a fundamental right under our constitution, it’s at the heart of our nation’s democracy,” said Senator Min. “Censorship and book bans are not new in America. At an earlier, uglier time in our history, bans were placed on works by Shakespeare, the Diary of Anne Frank, and even Robin Hood. Today, in Huntington Beach and across the state, we’ve seen book bans take aim at the lived experiences and voices of LGBTQ and people of color. That’s why the passage of AB 1825 is so important and I am so incredibly proud to work alongside my colleague Assemblymember Muratsuchi to defend the freedom to read and get this important bill to the Governor’s desk.”
“I am honored that the California Freedom to Read Act is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. Our freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democracy, and libraries provide a special place in the public's civic education. Unfortunately, there is a growing movement to ban books across the country, including in California,” said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. “Book banning proponents are disproportionately targeting materials containing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ and communities of color. We need to fight this movement to ensure that Californians have access to books that offer diverse perspectives from people of all backgrounds, ideas, and beliefs.”
According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, challenges of unique titles in the United States increased 65% from 2022 to 2023, reaching the highest ever level recorded. In California last year, the ALA reported 52 challenges to 98 titles in public libraries and school libraries. A total of 47% of all book bans have primarily targeted LGBTQ+ and black indigenous people of color.
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