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Expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.

USA119th CongressHRES-1212| House 
| Updated: 4/23/2026
Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal

Democratic Representative

Washington

Cosponsors (25)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Hillary J. Scholten (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution expresses profound support for library staff and the essential services they provide, recognizing their role as cornerstones of communities. Libraries offer vital resources such as books, media, internet access, and high-quality programming, while also linking individuals to crucial social services and economic support for job seekers and small businesses. Library staff have increasingly addressed public crises, including the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, often providing critical care and resources beyond traditional library functions, and serving as safe havens for unhoused individuals. Despite these expanded demands, libraries frequently contend with severe funding cuts, leading to unsustainable and unsafe working conditions for staff. The resolution specifically condemns efforts to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which would severely harm libraries' ability to provide critical resources, especially in rural and underserved areas. It also addresses the critical issue of book bans and censorship, noting thousands of instances in school libraries and classrooms. The resolution asserts that library staff must be able to curate diverse and inclusive collections free from threats, termination, or criminalization for fulfilling their role in providing unfettered access to information. It reaffirms the fundamental right of all citizens to access information and the right of library workers to organize, collectively bargain, and exercise their civil rights without intimidation. The resolution calls for the prioritization of full funding for library services at Federal, State, and local levels to ensure their continuation and improvement, underscoring their vital role in preserving democracy.
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Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 118-324
Expressing support for the staff of this Nation's public, school, academic, and special libraries and the essential services they provide to our communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social services and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.
Apr 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

SRES 119-169
Introduced in Senate
Apr 23, 2026
Submitted in House
Apr 23, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 118-324
    Expressing support for the staff of this Nation's public, school, academic, and special libraries and the essential services they provide to our communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social services and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.


  • April 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    SRES 119-169
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 23, 2026
    Submitted in House


  • April 23, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.

USA119th CongressHRES-1212| House 
| Updated: 4/23/2026
This resolution expresses profound support for library staff and the essential services they provide, recognizing their role as cornerstones of communities. Libraries offer vital resources such as books, media, internet access, and high-quality programming, while also linking individuals to crucial social services and economic support for job seekers and small businesses. Library staff have increasingly addressed public crises, including the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, often providing critical care and resources beyond traditional library functions, and serving as safe havens for unhoused individuals. Despite these expanded demands, libraries frequently contend with severe funding cuts, leading to unsustainable and unsafe working conditions for staff. The resolution specifically condemns efforts to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which would severely harm libraries' ability to provide critical resources, especially in rural and underserved areas. It also addresses the critical issue of book bans and censorship, noting thousands of instances in school libraries and classrooms. The resolution asserts that library staff must be able to curate diverse and inclusive collections free from threats, termination, or criminalization for fulfilling their role in providing unfettered access to information. It reaffirms the fundamental right of all citizens to access information and the right of library workers to organize, collectively bargain, and exercise their civil rights without intimidation. The resolution calls for the prioritization of full funding for library services at Federal, State, and local levels to ensure their continuation and improvement, underscoring their vital role in preserving democracy.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 118-324
Expressing support for the staff of this Nation's public, school, academic, and special libraries and the essential services they provide to our communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social services and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.
Apr 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

SRES 119-169
Introduced in Senate
Apr 23, 2026
Submitted in House
Apr 23, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 118-324
    Expressing support for the staff of this Nation's public, school, academic, and special libraries and the essential services they provide to our communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social services and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.


  • April 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    SRES 119-169
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 23, 2026
    Submitted in House


  • April 23, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal

Democratic Representative

Washington

Cosponsors (25)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Hillary J. Scholten (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted