Book challenges

Massachusetts lawmakers are once again pushing bills to protect books and librarians in the face of ongoing “book challenges.” The bills have previously gone before committees and fell short, but as advocates point out, changes in Washington and Supreme Court decisions bring new urgency.

State lawmakers and local librarians gathered in Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday to discuss funding, digital equity and more.

Activists in western Massachusetts have been rallying against book bans as libraries across the state and country face an influx of challenges aimed at removing some titles from shelves.