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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – When Professor Nicole P. Dyszlewski set out to combat rising book censorship, she never imagined her grassroots advocacy would culminate in the passage of groundbreaking state legislation. This week, Gov. Dan McKee (D) ceremoniously signed the  into law, with Dyszlewski standing alongside him at the Rochambeau Library in Providence, R.I., a testament to her integral role in crafting and championing the historic legislation.

As a member of the Freedom to Read Coalition, Dyszlewski worked tirelessly to ensure the law would require the development of a standardized framework governing materials in both public and school library systems while protecting library staff, who face increasing pressure and threats over collection decisions, from legal consequences when they act in accordance with the law.

“This law sends a moral statement that the stories of all children, all parents, all library patrons, and all scholars have value, and that you don't have to agree with someone to recognize the value in their story and their voice,” said Dyszlewski, who is also a practicing librarian. “This is the lesson we all need to hear right now, and Rhode Island is sending that message loud and clear.”

Dyszlewski's dual expertise as both a law professor and librarian proved crucial in crafting legislation, as she collaborated closely with Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D), Rhode Island Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D), Representative David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence), and Senator Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) throughout the legislative process, all of whom joined her and the governor at Tuesday's signing ceremony.

“Libraries are the heart of the community, and I am so proud that we have these leaders moving this community in this direction at this moment,” said Dyszlewski. “This law, sponsored by these legislators, and signed by this governor, is groundbreaking and will now serve as a model for legislators and advocates in other states who understand that access to the writings of any one of us is an expression of justice for all of us.”

Gov. McKee praised the collaborative effort: “In Rhode Island, we promote free expression. We don't restrict it. In Rhode Island, we see censorship for what it is: a way to limit what we can learn about the world – and about each other.”

Dyszlewski's advocacy and legal educational outreach extends beyond the legislative arena. She will discuss the new law and its national implications in an upcoming episode of �����ƽ��'s new podcast, . In the episode titled Who Decides What You Read?, Dyszlewski, , and her co-host, Michael Donnelly-Boylen, , speak with Cheryl Space, Director of the , and Dan Novack, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at , about Rhode Island's new law, the growing trend of book bans nationally, and how they intersect with law, policy, and free expression. That episode airs Aug. 26 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon.