US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HR1212

Introduced
4/23/26  

Caption

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.

Impact

The resolution asserts the significant role that library staff play in their communities, not only as providers of access to books and media but also as facilitators of educational programming, internet access, and crucial information regarding social services. It recognizes libraries as economic powerhouses that support small business owners and job seekers while taking on expanded roles in humanitarian efforts, such as providing support during health crises like the opioid epidemic. This focus on the multifaceted role of libraries underscores the necessity of maintaining and improving library services through proper funding.

Summary

HR1212 is a resolution expressing support for public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States. It emphasizes the essential services these libraries provide to their communities and acknowledges the critical need for adequate funding that reflects the broad scope of social services and support that libraries deliver. The resolution seeks to uphold the rights of all citizens to access information freely and highlights the importance of strong union representation for library workers, recognizing their civil rights as key to fulfilling their roles effectively.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HR1212 is the ongoing challenges faced by library staff, including harassment and pressure to remove banned materials from collections. The resolution explicitly supports the right of library workers to oppose censorship and to make independent decisions about library collections without fear of reprisal. This aligns with a broader movement advocating for greater freedom of expression within educational and cultural institutions amid increasing instances of book bans and censorship across the country.

Companion Bills

US HR328

Same As 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.

US SR169

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

US HR328

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.

US SR688

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.

US SR169

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.

US A05211

Relates to librarians of school libraries.

US SB00523

An Act Concerning The Curation And Retention Of Literary Materials Contained In Public And School Libraries And Legal Protections Afforded To Librarians And Staff Working In Such Libraries.

US SB74

Harmful Materials to Minors; exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103; repeal

US A07353

Protects the independence of libraries; shields librarians from civil and criminal liability for certain actions.

US A03119

Ensures that library staff of free association, public, and hospital libraries, and with certain advice, Indian libraries, are able to develop collections, services, and programming that reflect the values and protections established under the human rights law and the equal rights amendment to the state constitution.

US S01100

Ensures that library staff of free association, public, and hospital libraries, and with certain advice, Indian libraries, are able to develop collections, services, and programming that reflect the values and protections established under the human rights law and the equal rights amendment to the state constitution.

US S06870

Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; provides the department of education, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.