Christina Barry

I am testifying in opposition to HB1214 as a Library Trustee appointed alternate, a lover of libraries, and an engaged citizen. This bill would allow municipalities to strip elected library trustees of their statutory authority and reduce us to an advisory role through a single vote. This undermines both library independence and local democracy. Library trustees provide focused, expert governance, and are elected specifically to oversee our libraries. Unlike municipal governing bodies that balance many competing priorities (i.e roads, police, fire, and other public services and departments), trustees dedicate attention solely to ensuring the library serves our community’s needs. This bill threatens intellectual freedom, and that threat is not accidental in this climate. Across the country, we are witnessing unprecedented challenges to library materials and programming. Libraries must make collection and programming decisions based on professional standards and community needs, free from political pressure. The specific focus on libraries in legislation like this is not random. When library governance is absorbed into municipal government, we lose the independence that protects our ability to serve all community members. It disregards the will of voters. Residents elect library trustees for a reason - to govern their library. This bill would allow those trustees to be sidelined, overriding the democratic process. Current law already works. Municipalities have oversight through budget processes and existing cooperation between trustees and the select board. If concerns arise in specific communities, we can address them without dismantling the trustee system statewide. I urge you to vote no on HB1214. Our libraries deserve independent governance that protects their vital role in our communities. Thank you.