Paiz, Glanville Reintroduce Protect Freedom to Read Package  

PHOTO:State Reps. Carol Glanville (D-Walker) and Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods) testify in the House Government Operations Committee at the Anderson House Office Building on Dec. 4, 2024, in Lansing.  

LANSING, Mich., March 13, 2025 — This afternoon, State Reps. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods) and Carol Glanville (D-Walker) introduced the Freedom to Read Act, House Bills 4250 and 4251. The reintroduction of these bills from the previous legislative term aims to protect access to books and educational materials in Michigan public and district libraries by outlining standard procedures for challenging the removal of books and other educational materials from a library, affirming the importance of diverse perspectives and safeguarding individuals’ rights to choose what they read and what they learn.

“For hundreds of years, libraries have been the citadels of history and information fundamental to free and informed societies,” Paiz said. “They embody the power to educate, inspire, and challenge us. This legislation is about ensuring that each person has the right to read, explore and learn without censorship.”

In recent years, library collections have faced restrictions due to what some perceive as controversial themes, perspectives or historical content. The Freedom to Read Act would ensure that diverse voices, topics and viewpoints remain accessible, fostering an environment of openness and inclusivity.

“Every person deserves the opportunity to see themselves and others in the stories they read, to learn about different perspectives and to build empathy and understanding,” Glanville said. “The Freedom to Read Act champions our democratic values, ensuring that the right to read remains an unassailable freedom.”

The Freedom to Read Act has garnered support from educators, librarians, authors, cultural organizations, and freedom-of-speech advocates.

Key provisions of the Freedom to Read Act:

• Aligns the criteria for reconsideration of book and library materials with existing state statute, including but not limited to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
• Preserves Local Control: It empowers local libraries to make informed decisions about their collections, influenced only by residents of the library’s service area.
• Establishes Transparent Processes: The bills outline a transparent process for handling challenges to library materials, ensuring fairness and due process.
• Does not apply to school libraries.