San Antonio Public Library and Mayor Support Freedom to Read

Published on July 01, 2022

Freedom to read campaign addresses the rise in national and regional book challenges in school and public libraries.

SAN ANTONIO (July 1, 2022) – San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joined San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) Director Ramiro S. Salazar at Bazan Branch Library on Wednesday, June 29 for a public address affirming the City of San Antonio’s support of unbridled access to information and the importance of the Freedom to Read.  
 
“Over the last year, an uptick in book review requests and challenges have occurred in public school libraries and public libraries across the nation and in Texas,” said the San Antonio Mayor. “We want to make completely clear that the City of San Antonio combats censorship in all its forms and fully supports complete access to information within our public library system.” 
 
In response to the rising number of challenges in public libraries from the end of 2021 into 2022, in May the City of San Antonio adopted a resolution in support of the Freedom to Read. The resolution expressly states the importance of the freedom of expression in accordance with the First Amendment. It also explains how this freedom aligns with the goal of public libraries and is essential to the preservation of a free society. The full resolution is available to read on the San Antonio Public Library Website. 
 
“Public libraries house extensive collections of materials that inspire a broad spectrum of viewpoints, beliefs, emotions, and experiences,” said San Antonio Public Library Director Ramiro S. Salazar. “Public Libraries also do not subscribe to any one mode of thinking or political ideology, so it is critical to our mission to include materials that represent the viewpoints of all members of the communities we serve and represent.” 
 
Book displays featuring historically and/or frequently challenged library materials are on display and available for check out at SAPL locations throughout San Antonio this summer.