Libraries Are More Than Books: New Resolution Backs Staff, Funding, and Fight Against Book Bans

This resolution is essentially Congress giving a massive, formal high-five to library staff across the country. It’s a statement recognizing that modern libraries are far more than just places to check out books—they are critical social infrastructure. Specifically, the resolution aims to support library workers, defend intellectual freedom against censorship, and push for funding that actually matches the expanded scope of services libraries now provide.

The Library as a Lifeline, Not Just a Bookstore

The core of this resolution is the recognition that library staff have become front-line social workers. They are providing essential community supports, which the bill text highlights. For instance, in many communities, library workers are trained to administer overdose medication during the opioid crisis. They also offer a safe, reliable space for unhoused individuals and provide essential internet access—often the only option—for job seekers and small business owners in underserved areas. This section of the resolution is basically saying: If libraries are doing all this heavy lifting, they need funding that reflects it.

Fighting Censorship and Defending Staff Rights

One of the most powerful sections addresses the current climate of censorship and threats against library staff. The resolution explicitly supports library staff’s responsibility to curate diverse collections and provide free access to information, noting that thousands of instances of book bans occurred last school year alone. This is about protecting the librarian who is facing termination or criminal charges for refusing to remove books from the shelves, ensuring they can do their job without fear of intimidation. It also supports the civil rights of these workers, including their right to organize and bargain collectively, which is a big deal for a workforce that has been dealing with increasing harassment and threats.

What This Means for Everyday People

While this is a non-binding resolution—meaning it doesn't create new laws or immediately allocate funds—it sends a strong signal. For the parent relying on the library for free Wi-Fi after work, or the student needing a quiet place to study, this resolution affirms that those services are essential and deserve protection. It also pushes back against political efforts, like the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which would severely hurt libraries, especially those in rural and Tribal areas that rely on federal support. Ultimately, this resolution is a formal declaration that libraries are essential for democracy and community health, and that the people who run them deserve our support and resources.