Denver, CO - The Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) applauds the state legislature and Governor Polis for protecting Colorado Libraries. Governor Polis signed SB24-216  Establishing Standards for Decisions Regarding Library Resources on Friday, May 31.

The CAL Legislative Committee, consisting of members representing various library systems throughout the state, served as subject matter experts for the bill’s primary sponsors - Senator Lisa Cutter, Senator Chris Kolker, Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Representative Eliza Hamrick, and Representative Junie Joseph - to develop the bill. The bill protects Colorado public libraries from book bans and ensures library resources will not be removed unless in accordance with the library board’s policy, and it establishes safeguards for such policies.

“We are grateful to the state legislature and Governor Polis for taking these steps to ensure the public has access to diverse and varied materials in their public libraries,” said Jenn Cook, CAL President. “Public libraries are treasured spaces where people from all walks of life can learn and explore. The passage of this bill ensures we can maintain this access.”

The Colorado Association of Libraries holds that the freedom to read is a fundamental and Constitutionally protected right. CAL supports all library users’ right to free inquiry as guaranteed by the First Amendment. By curating diverse and inclusive collections and providing equitable access to them, Colorado’s public libraries safeguard the freedom to read. Now SB 24-216 codifies these principles.

The primary provisions of this bill include:

Protections for Colorado libraries from book bans;

Assurances that resources cannot be removed from public libraries unless in accordance with a public library board’s policy, and establishes safeguards for such policies;

Requirements that public libraries establish written policies for the acquisition, retention, and display of public library sources, as well as their removal upon the request of a patron;

Safeguards so that resources cannot be removed from a public library based on the demographics of the author or based on partisan disapproval of the topic;

Protections for librarians from retaliation, discrimination, or termination for refusal to remove any resource if such removal is not in accordance with the board’s policy; and

Requirements that a person who requests that any material be removed must live within the service area of the public library, and their requests are public under the Colorado Open Records Act.

###

About the Colorado Association of Libraries

The Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) is a volunteer-run unified chapter of the American Library Association. CAL is the common bond, voice, and power for the library community in the state of Colorado. CAL members are united to advocate for quality library services, support access to information, and foster the professional development of our members. CAL members are librarians, library employees, institutions, and corporations drawn from public, school, academic, and special libraries; public library trustees; education administrators; library service providers; library vendors; volunteers; and library supporters.