A message from CLA President CONDEMNING H.R. 7661

The Connecticut Library Association strongly condemns H.R. 7661, legislation that represents a dangerous federal intrusion into the freedom to read and the professional independence of libraries and educators.

If enacted, this bill would threaten schools and libraries with the loss of federal funding if materials available to young people are deemed to contain certain viewpoints or topics. The sweeping and vague language in this legislation could easily be used to target books that address gender identity, LGBTQ+ lives, health education, or other topics that reflect the diversity of American experiences.

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In practice, H.R. 7661 would function as a nationwide book ban enforced through federal funding threats. Libraries and schools would face intense pressure to remove books, cancel programs, and limit educational resources in order to avoid risking essential funding that supports students and communities.

Libraries exist to provide access to knowledge, ideas, and perspectives. The freedom to read is a cornerstone of a democratic society, and attempts by the federal government to dictate what books can be made available to young people undermine that principle.

Professional librarians and educators are trained to select materials that are age-appropriate, educationally valuable, and responsive to the needs of their communities. Decisions about library collections should be made locally through transparent policies and community engagement—not through sweeping federal mandates that impose political control over educational content.

Parents and families have the right to guide their own children’s reading choices. But no single viewpoint should determine what information is available to every student or library user in the country. Policies that threaten federal funding in order to force the removal of books amount to government-sanctioned censorship.

At a time when literacy, civic understanding, and access to information are more important than ever, legislation that seeks to restrict books and silence voices moves our country in the wrong direction.

The Connecticut Library Association urges Congress to reject H.R. 7661 and any effort to impose federal censorship on libraries and schools. Instead, policymakers should invest in libraries, support education, and protect the fundamental freedom to read.