Nicole Benson

As a member of the Newmarket Public Library Board of Trustees, I strongly oppose any legislative efforts, such as HB 1214, that would allow municipalities to strip authority from independent boards and assume direct governance of our public libraries. For over a century, New Hampshire’s library trustees have served as a vital buffer between the library’s collection and shifting political winds. This independence is not a mere formality; it is the bedrock of intellectual freedom and effective local management. Our library is a separate and distinct legal entity from the town, as affirmed by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in Littleton v. Taylor. Shifting this power to the Town Council or a municipal administrator would: • Erode Public Trust: Removing the authority of duly elected residents to oversee library policy reduces transparency and community-driven decision-making. • Jeopardize Donations: Many donors give to the library specifically because it is managed by an independent Board. Removing that oversight may discourage the private support our library relies on. • Politicize a Neutral Space: Libraries serve everyone. Subordinating them to a municipal governing body risks turning every book purchase or program into a partisan debate. We urge the legislature and our neighbors to reject these changes.