BCPL leaders laud signing of Freedom to Read Act

Following Gov. Wes Moore’s signing of House Bill 785 and Senate Bill 738 into law on April 25, Baltimore County Public Library officials released a statement celebrating the gesture.

Known as the Freedom to Read Act, the legislation will protect libraries and their staff from censorship attempts. BCPL CEO Sonia Alcántara-Antoine and BCPL Board of Library Trustees President Yara Cheikh shared reflections on the bill’s passage.

“As a fierce advocate for HB 785, I am thrilled to celebrate the passage of the Freedom to Read Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore this morning. This landmark legislation not only upholds the fundamental right to access information freely but also provides vital protections for our libraries and dedicated staff members,” Alcántara-Antoine said according to a BCPL statement.

“This act safeguards our libraries against censorship and retaliation, empowering our team to continue serving our communities, where we invite them to learn, explore, create and connect. This is a resounding victory for intellectual freedom and the cornerstone values of our democracy.”

During the legislative session, a number of BCPL staff members also supported the Freedom to Read Act, as did many county library customers and supporters.

“The signing of the Freedom to Read Act means that our libraries and its dedicated staff can now focus on the fundamental mission of public libraries—to provide access to all—without fear of censorship or punitive action,” Cheikh said.

“We appreciate Baltimore County Public Library’s CEO Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, our staff and others who championed this bill during the legislative session.”