Update: June 2025
The NH State Library has received official award notification for full and anticipated amount of Grants to States Funds. This provides for federally funded services through 09/30/2026.
New Hampshire Library Related Legislation
Please weigh in on these bills online or by emailing/calling your Senators or Representative.
Contact Governor Ayotte
Find out how to comment online for NH Senate and House of Representatives
HB 273
Relative to a parent’s access to their minor child’s library records.
Final Summer 2025 Update: Signed into law by Governor Ayotte.
NHLA Opposes
JUNE UPDATE- the house did not concur with the Senate version so it will now go to a Committee of Conference. Working on tracking this with lobbyist as the process continues.
- April 24th: Passed Committee 3-0 with 2 changes:
- Effective Date: Jan 1 2026
- Remove Address requirement just state parent or legal guardian on minor’s record
- Approved on consent agenda May 15th.
HB 273 June 26 2025 Update:
Version amended by CoC passed 201 to 165 on June 26th. The amendment allows anyone who says they are parent or guardian to be given records. CoC amended that library records shall be available to either parent or the legal guardian of the minor, to a parent or guardian whose address is the same as the address of the minor as shown on the account, or to a parent or guardian who is listed on the account.
Watch the Committee of Conference on HB273 here: https://www.youtube.com/live/dIumWRhMDrY?si=xzWj2NNZIlVIgZnW&t=16345
HB666
Relative to adding fines for violations of the confidentiality of the library use records and adding library cards and membership status to the list of confidential matters.
Final Summer 2025 Update: Gone for the season, may appear again next year.
NHLA Opposes
JUNE UPDATE:
SB141 approved with amendment in House.
Goes to Governor with SB 141 approved (no penalty)
- The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5 to 0 that this bill was Inexpedient to Legislate.
- Goes to Full Senate on 5/8 to accept committee report.
- Rep Alexander put in ammendment on SB 141 to make change to confidentiality without penalty.
HB 666 and SB141 Update: June 20 2025
The House amended the bill as it came from the Senate by adding provisions that established the confidentiality of certain information regarding library records, library cards, and library membership status. Senate conferees refused to agree to the House’s addition of the provisions dealing with library information; and the House conferees were unwilling to remove such provisions from the bill. As a result, the committee of conference was unable to reach agreement and the bill fails.
HB 376
Specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right to know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status.
NHLA Supports
Final Summer 2025 Update: Gone for the season, may appear again next year.
JUNE UPDATE -The House added this wording onto SB69 in a floor amendment and passed it.
Senate Judiciary Committee :
Held hearing on May 15th no vote taken.
HB 376 Update late June 2025
Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-0 that it was Inexpedient to Legislate. The House added this wording onto SB69 in a floor amendment and passed it. Senate did not concur nor was a committee of conference called so it is done for the season.
Office of the Governor
State House
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2121
(603) 271-7680 (fax)
GovernorAyotte@governor.nh.gov
Constituent Services:
(603) 271-7676
(603) 271-7640 (fax)
You can fill out this online form: https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion
NH State Council on the Arts Unfunded.
NH State Council on the Arts Unfunded.
The NH Senate Finance Committee voted to keep the NH State Council on the Arts, a division within Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, unfunded. They also voted to start a state fund that can accept private and corporate donations in support of the arts and funded it with $1. So, as of today, the next State of NH biennium budget will fund the arts with $1. The sentiment was expressed that the council is a “want” not a need and that the arts in the state could be kept going with a voluntary council with members who can fill any necessary administrative functions.
Further, the $300,000 “back of the budget cut” for the entire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources remains in effect. Currently there is no information about how that will affect the State Library’s programs and service
Stay Updated
News and Updates on Libraries: Now more important than ever!
Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
On March 14, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing significant cuts to several federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
IMLS provides $1.5 million each year to New Hampshire libraries which funds essential services, including interlibrary loan systems, digital lending platforms such as Libby, and accessibility resources tailored for patrons with visual impairments. These services are all in jeopardy for New Hampshire libraries if Congress or the courts do not intervene.
What does this mean for you as a Wolfeboro Library Patron?
Last year, Wolfeboro Public Library provided 2135 items to our patrons through interlibrary loan and loaned 1470 items to other NH libraries and 15,654 audio and ebooks and digital magazines were downloaded by our patrons using Libby.
How can you help?
Your voice can help protect these resources!
If you object to the elimination of these funds and the functions of the IMLS that are specifically used to serve you, the public, contact your federal legislators today expressing why you value library services.
Find an email link to our legislators as well as other ways to be involved
here at the American Libraries Association.
As this situation evolves, we will keep you posted with updates.
Thank you for your continued support for the Wolfeboro Public Library and all libraries.
Please contact Library Director Alison Rutley at librarydirector@wolfeboropubliclibrary.org with any questions.