Mass Freedom to Read Advocacy Day Press Briefing

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Mass Freedom to Read coalition gathered at the State House in Boston to advocate for H.3594, An Act Regarding Free Expression. Coalition volunteers met with legislators, hosted a book fair highlighting books by MA authors and publishers that have been banned, and held a press briefing with the following speakers:

• Malinda Lo, Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

• Andrea Fiorillo, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Library Association Intellectual Freedom/Social Responsibility Committee

• Nina Selvaggio, Executive Director of Greater Boston PFLAG

• Massachusetts State Representative Adam J. Scanlon

• Camila Guerrero, student and writer with 826 Boston

• Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr

• Massachusetts State Representative John Francis Moran

Watch the recording of the press briefing here:

Mass Freedom to Read Advocacy Day is March 10, 2026

Urging lawmakers to advance H.3594, ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression,’ legislation that protects against book challenges and censorship

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, educators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, booksellers, and civil rights advocates from across Massachusetts will gather at the State House in Boston and online for the Mass Freedom to Read Advocacy Day.

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We invite Massachusetts residents to join in online on March 10, 2026!

1️⃣ MA residents: It’s important that your state legislators hear from you about your support for H. 3594 and students’ right to read in Massachusetts. Click below to send a message to your legislators today and help pass this vital bill.

2️⃣ On Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 12:30 pm, go to @nosycrowus to watch our press briefing on Instagram Live from the State House! Nosy Crow is an award-winning children's publisher based in Massachusetts, and is a member of the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition. Thanks to Nosy Crow for hosting our Instagram Live!

3️⃣ Follow along on our Instagram page all day and share our posts with your community and representatives!

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Advocacy Day at the State House will include meetings with legislators, a book fair highlighting organizations committed to intellectual freedom, and a press conference calling for legislative action to protect the freedom to read in Massachusetts. The event comes amid growing concern over coordinated book challenges and censorship pressures affecting libraries and schools across the Commonwealth.

Advocates will urge lawmakers to advance H.3594, ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression,’ legislation that establishes clear statewide standards for library and school collection policies and book reconsideration processes, helping prevent politically motivated censorship while reinforcing First Amendment principles. The Massachusetts Senate version of this legislation, S.2696, passed in the Senate in November 2025, and H.3594 must now be voted on by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 

The Mass Freedom to Read Advocacy Day will run from 10am - 4pm in room 437, with a press conference at 12:30pm, and the book fair throughout the day.

The Massachusetts Library Association says: “This bill ensures that library and school boards adopt policies that recognize the right to read and support access to library resources free from doctrinal or partisan influence, allowing trained library professionals to build collections that reflect the experiences and voices of their whole community.”

“Independent bookstores are often the first place that young people discover the magic of reading, and censorship of any kind has no place in this process. On behalf of our member stores in Massachusetts, the New England Independent Booksellers Association stands with our regional and national partners in supporting ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression,'” says the New England Independent Booksellers Association. 

The Freedom to Learn Foundation says, “At a time when debates about access to books are happening across the country, H.3594 affirms the Commonwealth’s continued leadership in safeguarding intellectual freedom for students, educators, and communities.”

Coalition members working to pass this vital legislation include American Booksellers for Free Expression, Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts, The Authors Guild, Beacon Press, Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Publishing, Greater Boston PFLAG, Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Massachusetts Library Association, Nosy Crow, PEN America, Penguin Random House, Skinner House Books, and Wondermore.

Press Contact: Gina Gagliano, hello@massfreedomtoread.org

‘An Act Regarding Free Expression/S.2696’ Passes in the Senate!

In a victory for free speech, the Massachusetts Senate passed "An Act Regarding Free Expression/S.2696" this week on Thursday 11/13/25. The bill protects the right to access books across Massachusetts, safeguards librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs, and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to censorship.

This bill is now moving to the House. 

In response to growing attacks on the freedom to read across the country, including in Massachusetts, local organizations and national partners have formed the Mass Freedom to Read coalition, who have championed "An Act Regarding Free Expression," mobilizing readers, librarians, booksellers, authors, and publishers across the Bay State to speak up for the importance of free speech. 

In Massachusetts, challenges to library materials have more than doubled over the last three years, as documented by PEN America and the American Library Association, having an impact on librarians, students, educators, and authors. Massachusetts-based authors and illustrators have been further affected through bans of their books banned across the country since 2021. Massachusetts booksellers have faced harassment and intimidation at their events.

“Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts is delighted that the bill known as 'An Act Regarding Free Expression' has passed the Senate. As a Massachusetts author of books for kids and teens whose books have been banned and challenged, it was heartening to be in the Senate gallery as Senator after Senator took the floor to support the importance of free expression, the role of diverse voices, and the urgent need for books and their creators to be protected under the law in the Commonwealth. It was clear from their speeches that they have heard the voices of their constituents—the authors, illustrators, librarians, educators, booksellers, and individuals who know that book bans hurt us all," said Dana Alison Levy, author and co-lead of Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts.

"Candlewick Press is thrilled that the Senate not only passed the bill but also did so with amendments that significantly strengthened the protection for authors and illustrators when their books are challenged in Massachusetts," said Anne Irza-Leggat, Educational Marketing Manager at award-winning Massachusetts publisher Candlewick Press. 

"Establishing Massachusetts as a safe haven for the freedom to read is especially important in the face of ongoing censorship in public schools and libraries," said Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read Program Director at PEN America. "We're glad the Massachusetts Senate passed this bill as a first step and hope to see it become law in the future, ensuring greater protections for students and authors facing book censorship in Massachusetts."

Coalition members now working to pass this vital legislation in the House include American Booksellers for Free Expression, Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts, The Authors Guild, Beacon Press, Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Publishing, Greater Boston PFLAG, Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Massachusetts Library Association, Nosy Crow, PEN America, Penguin Random House, Skinner House Books, and Wondermore.

New Update and Call To Action

We are excited to share the news that several senators have filed amendments that, if passed, will significantly strengthen the bill. The Mass Freedom to Read coalition has been working hard to push for three key improvements:

1. Limiting who can challenge books to those who live in the district served by a public library or have a student in the school: Amendments 1 and 5

2. Including book creators in those who can challenge a book ban: Amendments 4 and 18

3. Ensuring that the book must be considered as a whole, rather than a single excerpt: Amendment 6

CALL TO ACTION: Please contact your senator and urge them to strengthen the bill by voting for the improvements in Amendments 1, 4, 5, 6, and 18! This must be done before Wednesday, so the sooner the better!

You can see the full list of amendments here. You will notice there are nineteen in all: many are attempts to weaken the bill, and some are not material either way. Our focus is on passing the ones that will make the bill stronger. You can use the sample script below for a phone call or an email, and change it to explain why this issue is important to you personally.

We are getting closer to the finish line...let's keep going.

Sample Script

To: Your Senator (Find your state senator here)

Dear Senator [NAME], 

My name is [NAME] and I live in [LOCATION]. I am [writing/calling] to urge you to support three critical changes to strengthen the bill known as An Act Regarding Free Expression (S.2696) as it comes to a vote on the Senate floor on Thursday. As your constituent and an advocate for free expression, I feel strongly that this bill is vital to the Commonwealth continuing to lead the way in protecting our civil rights. I am asking you to vote in support of:

1. Limiting who can challenge books to those who live in the district served by a public library or have a student in the school: Amendments 1 and 5

2. Including book creators in those who can challenge a book ban: Amendments 4 and 18

3. Ensuring that the book must be considered as a whole, rather than a single excerpt: Amendment 6

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Location (to show your residence)

Announcing Mass Freedom To Read

Mass Freedom to Read is a new coalition that represents Massachusetts parents and readers, authors and creators, libraries, booksellers, and publishers. We believe that freedom of expression, including the freedom to read, is a fundamental American right, protected by the First Amendment.

In the United States, we have the right to access books with a wide range of information and perspectives. We have the right to freely express our own ideas through speech, writing, and art.

In Massachusetts, challenges to library collections, programs, and displays have more than doubled in over the last three years. Massachusetts authors and creators have had their work banned or challenged in dozens of states, and in Massachusetts itself. Massachusetts booksellers have faced harassment and intimidation at their events.

Parents have the right to guide their own children's reading, but parents should not dictate what other people's children are allowed to read. In Massachusetts, with our deep and valued history of patriotism, we know that censorship is the opposite of a patriotic act.

Now is the time for the Massachusetts state legislature to pass a comprehensive Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to censorship. To that end, we support the passage of An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328).

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