On August 10, 2026, Governor Healey signed into law the Freedom to Read law, codifying parameters of library book selection and challenges. This new law requires the adoption of redrafted and new policies by Massachusetts school districts. MASC shares the following model policies, drafted in consultation with Massachusetts Library System staff and with guidance by MASC General Counsel, to ensure district adherence to the law.
- Policy to add/review:
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IJ-R, Reconsideration of Instructional Resources, is being cut entirely, due to the provisions of the new law.
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IJL, Library Materials Selection and Adoption (Download here | Track Changes Here), has been redrafted to adhere to actual American Library Association (ALA) standards on the right to read, per the new law. This also incorporates feedback from the Massachusetts Library System (as required by state law) about the role of the librarian in the adoption of materials. This also adds the new state law as a legal citation and updates cross-references.
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IJLA, Library Resources (Download here | Track Changes Here), has been redrafted using the actual ALA reconsideration language while also adding legal citations and cross-references.
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IJLA-R, Reconsideration of Library Materials (Download here), a new policy as required by the law, outlines the process of a challenge to library material as mandated by state law, while retain language around re-challenges from earlier policies. School committees should note that the review committee is bound by the Open Meeting Law, as they are making a recommendation to the Committee on something under committee purview.
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