Creating a Safe Harbor for Banned Books
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2026 11:41 am
Colleagues,
Across the nation, in Texas, and within our own community, libraries have faced increasing challenges to materials in their collections. Public libraries are not just a community amenity, but an important cornerstone of our democracy, providing access to information and a broad range of viewpoints. While school libraries have received much of the attention, public libraries have also faced efforts to limit access to materials, particularly those addressing topics such as race, gender, and sexuality.
Last week, the Library Commission unanimously approved a recommendation (linked below) asking the Austin City Council to designate the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor. The recommendation builds on the Council's 2022 Freedom to Read Resolution by reaffirming Austin's commitment to intellectual freedom, open access to information, and the professional expertise of Austin Public Library (APL) staff in developing and maintaining collections.
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/ ... ?id=475926
I want to thank the Library Commission for their thoughtful work and continued advocacy on behalf of Austin's libraries, readers, and the freedom to read.
My office intends to work with the Library Commission, APL Staff, and other council offices to draft an ordinance for consideration at the August 27th Council meeting. I invite my colleagues to share their thoughts and would gladly welcome co-sponsorship on this message board thread.
I look forward to working together to advance the Commission's recommendation and reaffirm Austin's longstanding commitment to ensuring our public libraries remain safe, welcoming places for everyone to learn, explore, and discover.
Warm regards,
Krista Laine
Across the nation, in Texas, and within our own community, libraries have faced increasing challenges to materials in their collections. Public libraries are not just a community amenity, but an important cornerstone of our democracy, providing access to information and a broad range of viewpoints. While school libraries have received much of the attention, public libraries have also faced efforts to limit access to materials, particularly those addressing topics such as race, gender, and sexuality.
Last week, the Library Commission unanimously approved a recommendation (linked below) asking the Austin City Council to designate the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor. The recommendation builds on the Council's 2022 Freedom to Read Resolution by reaffirming Austin's commitment to intellectual freedom, open access to information, and the professional expertise of Austin Public Library (APL) staff in developing and maintaining collections.
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/ ... ?id=475926
I want to thank the Library Commission for their thoughtful work and continued advocacy on behalf of Austin's libraries, readers, and the freedom to read.
My office intends to work with the Library Commission, APL Staff, and other council offices to draft an ordinance for consideration at the August 27th Council meeting. I invite my colleagues to share their thoughts and would gladly welcome co-sponsorship on this message board thread.
I look forward to working together to advance the Commission's recommendation and reaffirm Austin's longstanding commitment to ensuring our public libraries remain safe, welcoming places for everyone to learn, explore, and discover.
Warm regards,
Krista Laine