Joint Statement from the Delaware Library Association and the Friends of Delaware Libraries on the Enactment of House Bill 119 – The Freedom to Read Act of 2025
We thank Governor Matt Meyer for signing House Bill 119, the Freedom to Read Act of 2025, into law. We are grateful to Representative Krista Griffith and Sen. Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman for their leadership in introducing this important legislation, and we appreciate the support of the Delaware General Assembly for a law that safeguards the rights of readers, ensures transparency and fairness in public policy, and strengthens the role of libraries in Delaware’s civic life.
House Bill 119 builds on the progress made in the 2024 Libraries for All Act and continues Delaware’s efforts to strengthen access to information, promote reading and learning, and affirm the critical role of libraries in civic life. At a time when public and school libraries across the nation are facing increasing political pressure and ideological targeting, Delaware has chosen a different path, one rooted in fairness, transparency, and democratic values.
This legislation provides a clear, constitutionally grounded framework to prevent unconstitutional censorship while ensuring that citizens have the opportunity to raise concerns through a well-defined and fair process. House Bill 119 requires all public and school libraries in Delaware to adopt collection development policies based on three constitutional principles.
These principles reflect longstanding First Amendment protections and are the foundation of Delaware Libraries’ role in supporting an informed public. House Bill 119 also ensures that objections to materials can only be submitted by individuals from the local community and that materials remain accessible while under review. By establishing a structured review process for both public and school libraries, House Bill 119 emphasizes that these decisions should be made through local governance and professional expertise, not external pressure.
We also want to acknowledge the strong protections the bill provides for librarians, educators, and other staff who adhere to the law and their institutions’ adopted policies. These workforce protections are essential for preserving the professional integrity of library services. In many places, librarians have faced harassment or job consequences simply for doing their jobs. House Bill 119 ensures that it cannot happen here.
We look forward to supporting the Delaware Library Consortium, local public libraries, and school districts across the state as they implement this law by developing and refining local policies that uphold the right to read and reflect the values of our communities.
Delaware Library Association
Friends of Delaware Libraries
September 16, 2025