Bill > K00620

This resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim October 5-11, 2025, as Banned Books Week in New York State, in alignment with the national campaign. The resolution highlights the importance of protecting intellectual freedom and access to diverse literature, noting that Banned Books Week is an annual awareness campaign promoted by the American Library Association and Amnesty International that celebrates the freedom to read and draws attention to banned or challenged books. The resolution references a PEN America study showing 3,300 books were banned in the 2022-2023 school year, with many of these books featuring themes about race, racism, or LGBTQ characters, and emphasizes the critical nature of maintaining access to all literature in support of First Amendment rights guaranteeing freedom of expression. By passing this resolution, the legislative body seeks to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges to literary freedom and encourage open access to diverse reading materials that allow individuals to develop their own conclusions and opinions.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/K620