Please weigh in on these bills online or by emailing/calling your Senators or Representatives
Senate online testimony |
HB 273
NHLA Opposes
Relative to a parent’s access to their minor child’s library records.
Senate Children and Family Law Committee : No votes were taken on this bills after the public hearing.
UPDATE:
---April 24th: Passed Committee 3-0 with 2 changes: Effective Date: Jan 1 2026, Remove Address requirement just state parent or legal guardian on minor's record
HB666
NHLA Opposes
Relative to adding fines for violations of the confidentiality of the library use records and adding library cards and membership status to the list of confidential matters.
Senate Judiciary Committee : No votes were taken on this bill after the public hearing.
--- The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5 to 0 that this bill was Inexpedient to Legislate.
---Goes to Full Senate on 5/8 to accept committee report.
---Rep Alexander put in ammendment on SB 141 to make change to confidentiality without penalty.
HB 376
NHLA Supports
Specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right to know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status.
Senate Judiciary Committee :
--Hearing Scheduled May 15th at 1 pm
News and Updates on Libraries: Now more important than ever!
Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
On March 14, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing significant cuts to several federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
IMLS provides $1.5 million each year to New Hampshire libraries which funds essential services, including interlibrary loan systems, digital lending platforms such as Libby, and accessibility resources tailored for patrons with visual impairments. These services are all in jeopardy for New Hampshire libraries if Congress or the courts do not intervene.
What does this mean for you as a Wolfeboro Library Patron?
Last year, Wolfeboro Public Library provided 2135 items to our patrons through interlibrary loan and loaned 1470 items to other NH libraries and 15,654 audio and ebooks and digital magazines were downloaded by our patrons using Libby.
How can you help?
Your voice can help protect these resources!
If you object to the elimination of these funds and the functions of the IMLS that are specifically used to serve you, the public, contact your federal legislators today expressing why you value library services.
Find an email link to our legislators as well as other ways to be involved
here at the American Libraries Association.
As this situation evolves, we will keep you posted with updates.
Thank you for your continued support for the Wolfeboro Public Library and all libraries.
Please contact Library Director Alison Rutley at librarydirector@wolfeboropubliclibrary.org with any questions.
