Allows a municipality's governing body, following a vote under RSA 39:3, to take over governance of the town's public library, with the library trustees continuing in an advisory role.
relative to public libraries.
HB1214 would let a municipality's governing body, such as a select board or town council, assume direct governance of its public library, reducing the elected or appointed Board of Library Trustees to an advisory role. The overwhelming majority of submitters, including many current and former library trustees, directors, and staff, oppose the bill as an unnecessary threat to libraries' traditional political independence and expertise, while a small number of supporters argue libraries should face the same municipal accountability and oversight as other town departments.
Supporters argue that because libraries are funded with tax dollars, they should be subject to accountability similar to other municipal offices, and that some towns currently have library boards they view as unaccountable.
“I strongly support this bill as town currently have unelected unaccountable people in charge of libraries. This bill simply offers the option to those towns that believe it is necessary to take control of the town library, which very often received town funding.”
— J Brandon GIUDA, Chichester · #622981 — read full submission →
“Libraries are funded with tax dollars and should fall under the same oversight as other municipal offices.”
— Alicha Kingsbury, Loudon · #613788 — read full submission →
A couple of supporters describe the existing trustee structure as outdated, referencing past disputes over library trustee governance in their communities as evidence that reform is needed.
“Long overdue for an outdated bill representative of how things were with one room libraries and a single librarian. Lets vote Yes and get this bill current”
— Maureen Hardy, Londonderry · #613717 — read full submission →
“In April 2024, Alderman Tyler Gouveia sponsored a bill to make library trustees elected rather than appointed by the mayor and the very body that blocked that good bill would be no better at library trustee operations themselves.”
— Julie Smith, Epsom · #618618 — read full submission →
Opponents argue New Hampshire's long-standing model of independent, elected library trustees insulates collections, programming, and staffing decisions from shifting political pressure, and that shifting authority to municipal governing bodies would politicize a traditionally neutral institution.
“This bill threatens the foundational principles that have ensured the strength, neutrality, and success of public libraries across the state and represents an unnecessary governmental overreach into a traditionally independent, non-partisan domain.”
— Martine Fiske, Keene · #612441 — read full submission →
“That independence is not accidental — it is a cornerstone of how libraries are able to serve their entire communities equitably, protect intellectual freedom, and maintain public trust.”
— Ashley Taylor-Wrightson, Goffstown · #615763 — read full submission →
“That’s the whole point of having independent, voter-elected trustees in the first place: to protect free access to information, diverse viewpoints, and professional standards without whichever political wind is blowing that year deciding what people are “allowed” to read or learn.”
— karen steuer, lyndeborough · #616149 — read full submission →
Many submitters argue municipal governing bodies are already stretched thin with town business and lack the specialized knowledge of library law, operations, and collection development that dedicated trustees bring.
“First of all, municipal governing bodies are far too busy as it is, to take on yet another responsibility. The elected members of Selectboards or Town Councils are already stretched thin with their duties and meeting requirements.”
— Barb Schult, Goffstown · #617552 — read full submission →
“Most of them aren't qualified to make decisions regarding library issues because they don't have the background knowledge or experience on how libraries work.”
— Kristina Schram, Barnstead · #612434 — read full submission →
Opponents argue the current system works well statewide, that the bill responds to conflict at a single library rather than a systemic issue, and that dissatisfied voters already have a remedy through library trustee elections.
“It is irresponsible to enact a law that could affect ALL libraries when the problem exists only at ONE library, the sponsor’s library in Londonderry. The democratic method of correcting a bad situation is by electing new library trustees.”
— Karen Madigan, Hancock · #625994 — read full submission →
“Why does the Legislature think this bill is needed in New Hampshire? What problem is it trying to fix?”
— Kay May, Amherst · #616351 — read full submission →
Submitters warn that placing libraries under municipal governing bodies makes it easier for officials to remove or restrict materials they find objectionable, threatening intellectual freedom and equal access to information.
“Raises censorship concerns: Libraries are meant to provide open access to information; this change could make it easier to restrict materials based on ideology.”
— Rachel Deandrea, Windham · #613164 — read full submission →
“Certain books, magazines, other printed materials might be deemed "unacceptable" and banned.”
— Melanie Hamilton, Northwood · #618447 — read full submission →
Opponents argue independent trustees are essential to responsibly managing donated funds and trusts, and that folding libraries into general municipal budgets puts library funding at greater risk of cuts or redirection.
“It threatens fiduciary trust. People donate money specifically to libraries because they trust the Trustees to protect those funds.”
— Andrew Sclafani, Mont Vernon · #618876 — read full submission →
“Being demoted to mere advisors, towns would need to hire managers and administrators. To fund additional salaries, taxes would increase or services would be cut.”
— Marie Tanya Keller, Surry · #616255 — read full submission →
Several submitters note the bill's sponsor has been involved in ongoing conflict with the Londonderry library's trustees and director, and view the statewide bill as a personally motivated attempt to gain control after that local dispute, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
“I find it very interesting, for lack of better words, that the key sponsor of this bill Kristine Perez, is running for Londonderry Town Council. She along with other town members, have spent the better part of the past year disrupting our local libraries trustee meetings”
— Shannon Soucy, Londonderry · #614461 — read full submission →
“Londonderry's library has been under attack from a hostile board of trustees (Rep Perez supports the hostile majority). Since they haven't quite succeeded in devastating our library enough, Rep. Perez is now introducing this bill and running for Town Council.”
— Amy Agostino, Londonderry · #626656 — read full submission →
Some submitters cite RSA 202-A and the 1994 Littleton v. Taylor decision establishing libraries as legally separate from town government, as well as New Hampshire's history as the first state with independent public libraries, arguing the bill breaks with settled law and tradition.
“The trustees would become an advisory committee with no authority and would be in direct conflict with the intent of the NH Constitution and RSA 202-A:2, 202-A:3, 202-A:6, and other related NH statutes.”
— Elizabeth Thomas, LONDONDERRY · #624049 — read full submission →
“Leave these matters to the Library Trustees who have been doing this for 175 years. The first law authorizing towns to establish and maintain libraries was passed in 1849, making New Hampshire the first state to do so.”
— Elizabeth Schaefer, Strafford · #624821 — read full submission →
“In 1994 the New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed that under RSA 202-A, that library trustees have significant independence from local selectmen to oversee the administration of a library.”
— Patricia Thomas, Sandown · #617033 — read full submission →
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 20, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
As a resident running to serve as a library trustee in my community, it is very concerning that the state would permit an option for a municipality to usurp another elected position. Imagine if a selectboard board could take over the planning board, or the budget committee. This bill does nothing to support the public's access to libraries. Vote it down.
I strongly oppose HB 1214. This bill undermines the independence of public libraries and opens the door to political interference in one of the last truly public, nonpartisan institutions we have. Public libraries exist to serve everyone—regardless of income, ideology, age, or background. They are governed by library trustees for a reason: to protect intellectual freedom, professional standards, and community access from shifting political winds. Allowing a municipality’s governing body to assume control of a library’s governance threatens that independence and invites censorship, viewpoint discrimination, and politicized decision-making. This bill is not about efficiency or accountability. It is about power. Reducing library trustees to an advisory role strips communities of a critical buffer between elected officials and decisions about collections, programming, and access to information. Libraries should not rise or fall based on who currently holds political office. From a progressive perspective, libraries are essential public infrastructure. They provide free access to information, technology, education, and safe community space, especially for children, low-income families, seniors, and marginalized groups. Weakening their independence disproportionately harms those who rely on them most. If a municipality has concerns about library operations, existing oversight and funding mechanisms already exist. Handing control to governing bodies is a solution in search of a problem, and a dangerous one. HB 1214 erodes public trust, threatens intellectual freedom, and politicizes an institution that should remain firmly rooted in the public good. For the sake of democratic access to information and community autonomy, this bill should be rejected.
This is an insane overreach of the government.
I am opposed to this bill. Anne Smith
I oppose this bill. Our Library Trustees do an excellent job supporting our town library here in Rumney!
Our public libraries are often the hub of not only small towns in NH but also of our larger cities. They were created to allow all people to access print. They have since grown to be places that bring the world to citizens. Their diverse selections of reading material, children's reading programs, STEAM activities, vacation activities, passes to museums and parks, access to technology, lending of tools, research capabilities and the incredible wealth of knowledge which librarians possess to guide us in our pursuit of knowledge should not be politically influenced not interfered with by politics or politicians. A well-rounded person is well read which means being exposed to opposing ideas and theories. If libraries are run by government, they will become biased, narrow minded and not welcoming to all people. We must protect free access to information without political interference. Thank you.
Please do literally anything worthwhile with our tax dollars. ANYTHING. We are so tired of municipalities taking over public services and ruining them. Keep these positions democratic, stop wasting money on this nonsense.
This bill undermines democracy by taking away from the will of the people and putting decisions in the hands of a select few. Public libraries serve all walks of life regardless of identity and political view. Librarians are extensively educated in library services and are committed to preserving the right for all to access information, and find belonging in a community hub, Library trustees are elected by the people, and in their positions are solely committed to representing and protecting the mission of public libraries. Select Board members have enough on their plates as it is, and don't need (or always want) control over public libraries for which they may or may not have knowledge of or be invested in. I see this bill as yet another agenda for undue power and control. Leave Librarians and library trustees to do the jobs they are trained to do.
I strongly oppose this bill. Libraries must be independent to serve all community members
Voters should govern libraries by electing trustees.
Public libraries are pillars of our community! Hands off our third spaces!
Libraries provide vital, valued services to our communities and work well just as they are. Libraries need to remain independent and free from political interference. All libraries have procedures for members of the public to object to materials or to request items that someone feels should be added to the collection. Trustees meetings are open to all and offer another avenue for public input. Don't fix something that isn't broken!
I strongly oppose this bill.
I am absolutely against allowing a Town’s Select Board to take control of Public Library’s and turn Library Trustees into “advisors”. This is a blatent attempt to control more money in a town and to eliminate citizens genuinely interested in what a Library brings to Town citizens. A Library has a broad constituency from children thru seniors and it takes a genuinely interested overseers to insure that Library users are served properly. Select Boards in the end spend 75%-100% of their time dealing with Town finances. They do not have the time or inclination to examine the broad areas that a true and interested Library Board must bring to a public entity. Turning Library Trustees into “advisors” would turn genuine interest in Library issues to often into dollar and cents issues. Politics too will too Often control outcomes. Most certainly Citizen donations towards Librarys, are a very important component and would head downwards if not be eliminated. Volunteers and what they bring to a NH town are so important. This bill would send this into a downward spiral. Please vote to keep Library Boards independent of Select Boards..
There is no reason for this. Trustees have to elected by municipal vote. Towns have a say in who runs their libraries by electing their Trustees. Keeping the independence of the Library also serves all members of the town; public libraries should not be ruled by the whims of town politics.
Keep our libraries independent.
Please do NOT let representative Perez push this power grab. Londonderry's library has been under attack from a hostile board of trustees (Rep Perez supports the hostile majority). Since they haven't quite succeeded in devastating our library enough, Rep. Perez is now introducing this bill and running for Town Council. Enough. The residents of Londonderry are appalled and pushing back, and this is a shameless end run around the will of the voters. Please oppose this bill, and leave our libraries alone!
Public libraries should NOT be under local municipal jurisdiction. Period.
Libraries belong to the local people of the towns where they live and pay taxes!!! Hands off our libraries!
Our libraries are run by a Board of Library Trustees. The Trustees are elected by the folks in town. Trustees work hard in their mission to make our libraries contribute to the community. It takes time, hard work, dedication and a deep knowledge of how a library can best serve the community. Other town officials would not know where to begin. Our Board of Trustees would not presume to tell the Road Agent how to do their job, or the Town Clerk how to do theirs. In the same way, a freely elected Board of Trustees is best suited to overseeing the library. This bill is looking to fix something that isn’t broken.
I served on the Board of the Dunbar Free Library in Grantham for six years, five as the Board's chair, so I have knowledge and experience concerning the responsibilities of that body. I am writing to express my opposition to HB 1214 for the following reasons: 1. Library trustees have different qualifications and interests than those who run for select boards and are elected because of those qualifications and interests. 2. Having the same people doing two jobs would not be effective. Both positions -- managing the town and overseeing library -- are time consuming and demand a great deal of attention and careful thought. 3. The independence of NH libraries is a time honored tradition and should not be changed. 4 . There is an inherent conflict of interest or at least a strong possibility of a conflict of interest if a select person also governs the library. Thank you for your service and for considering my objections. Beverly Marshall Grantham, NH 03753
This bill is absurd. There is no reasoning behind it. Public libraries are community centers of information, learning, social interaction. There is no partisanship in municipal libraries. Defeat this bill! Andrus doesn’t know whereof she speaks!
I am writing in opposition to HB 1214 because it undermines local democracy and the independence of public libraries. New Hampshire residents elect library trustees to govern libraries in the best interests of the community. HB 1214 would reduce those trustees to advisory roles and concentrate control in municipal governing bodies whose priorities may change with political cycles. Public libraries thrive when they are stable, trusted, and protected from political pressure. This bill risks eroding public confidence in libraries and opens the door to decisions driven by politics rather than community needs. I urge the committee to reject HB 1214 and preserve independent library governance.
Some bills are so blatantly wrong they defy credulity. This bill is an assault on free speech by the self-appointed thought police of New Hampshire. Censor your own book collections, if they exist, and don’t use the library if you find it so offensive. Not everyone is capable of appreciating the Bill of Rights. Vote ITL.
Library collections and services are a public good that traditionally has given many members of the public access to unbiased information and entertainment. According to the American Library Association mission statement: "ALA promotes the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of a learning society, encouraging its members to work with educators, government officials, and organizations in coalitions to initiate and support comprehensive efforts to ensure that school, public, academic, and special libraries in every community cooperate to provide lifelong learning services to all." Politicizing public libraries is flat out wrong!