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A resolution 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 CongressSRES-688| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2026
Mazie K. Hirono

Mazie K. Hirono

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (8)
Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution expresses profound support for the dedicated staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries throughout the United States, recognizing their pivotal role as community cornerstones. Libraries are highlighted as vital providers of diverse services, ranging from equitable internet access and educational programming to crucial social service linkages and economic resources for job seekers and small businesses. The resolution emphasizes the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social and community supports that libraries now provide, often exceeding traditional roles. Library staff have increasingly addressed complex public crises, including the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, while facing severe funding cuts and unsustainable working conditions. The resolution condemns threats to intellectual freedom, such as book bans and censorship, which impede libraries' ability to offer diverse and comprehensive collections. It reaffirms the fundamental right of all citizens to freely access information and resources and the right of library workers to make collection decisions without fear of reprisal. The Senate commends library staff, supports National Library Week, and recognizes libraries as critical national infrastructure. It advocates for full funding of library services at all levels of government and reaffirms the fundamental right of library workers to organize, collectively bargain, and exercise their civil rights without intimidation. Furthermore, the resolution supports the right of library staff to speak out on public concerns and inform citizens about threats to free and unfettered access to information.
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Bill from Previous Congress

SRES 118-637
A resolution 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.
Apr 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HRES 119-328
Submitted in House
Apr 27, 2026
Submitted in Senate
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2055-2056)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    SRES 118-637
    A resolution 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.


  • April 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HRES 119-328
    Submitted in House


  • April 27, 2026
    Submitted in Senate


  • April 27, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • April 27, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2055-2056)

Arts, Culture, Religion

Related Bills

  • SRES 119-169: A resolution 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.
  • HRES 119-1212: 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.
  • HRES 119-328: 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.

A resolution 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 CongressSRES-688| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2026
This resolution expresses profound support for the dedicated staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries throughout the United States, recognizing their pivotal role as community cornerstones. Libraries are highlighted as vital providers of diverse services, ranging from equitable internet access and educational programming to crucial social service linkages and economic resources for job seekers and small businesses. The resolution emphasizes the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social and community supports that libraries now provide, often exceeding traditional roles. Library staff have increasingly addressed complex public crises, including the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, while facing severe funding cuts and unsustainable working conditions. The resolution condemns threats to intellectual freedom, such as book bans and censorship, which impede libraries' ability to offer diverse and comprehensive collections. It reaffirms the fundamental right of all citizens to freely access information and resources and the right of library workers to make collection decisions without fear of reprisal. The Senate commends library staff, supports National Library Week, and recognizes libraries as critical national infrastructure. It advocates for full funding of library services at all levels of government and reaffirms the fundamental right of library workers to organize, collectively bargain, and exercise their civil rights without intimidation. Furthermore, the resolution supports the right of library staff to speak out on public concerns and inform citizens about threats to free and unfettered access to information.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

SRES 118-637
A resolution 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.
Apr 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HRES 119-328
Submitted in House
Apr 27, 2026
Submitted in Senate
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2055-2056)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    SRES 118-637
    A resolution 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.


  • April 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HRES 119-328
    Submitted in House


  • April 27, 2026
    Submitted in Senate


  • April 27, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • April 27, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2055-2056)
Mazie K. Hirono

Mazie K. Hirono

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (8)
Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Arts, Culture, Religion

Related Bills

  • SRES 119-169: A resolution 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.
  • HRES 119-1212: 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.
  • HRES 119-328: 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.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted