Congress·In Committee·S.Res. 688

A resolution expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.

Libraries: Support for Staff and Services

Apr 27·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Part of: Library Funding and Intellectual Freedom Protections

This bill is one vehicle in a longer effort. See the full story across every version.View effort →

Next up: A senate committee

This resolution is currently in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is not actively moving forward. There is no companion bill listed for this measure.

Companion bill: Support for Libraries and Library Workers →

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Unlikely to pass

This is a non-binding resolution that expresses an opinion rather than changing the law. Because it criticizes Trump and addresses partisan issues like book bans, it is unlikely to pass.

How we got here

This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.

Reintroduced
Reintroduced from S.Res. 637 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
S.Res. 637 (118th) →

Key Points

This resolution honors the work of librarians and library staff across the country. It highlights how they do more than just lend books, such as providing internet access, helping people find jobs, and even saving lives by treating drug overdoses in their buildings.
The proposal calls for more money for libraries at the local, state, and federal levels. It argues that libraries need more funding because they have taken on extra roles like helping the unhoused and acting as community safety nets during public health crises.
It takes a stand against book bans and censorship. The resolution mentions that there were nearly 7,000 instances of book bans in schools recently and states that library staff should be able to do their jobs without being threatened or fired for the books they choose.
The resolution supports the right of library workers to join unions and speak out about their working conditions. It also criticizes a move by Trump to eliminate a federal agency that provides important resources to libraries in rural and underserved areas.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

1 milestone2 actions

Apr 27, 2026Senate

Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2055-2056)

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Apr 27, 2026

Submitted in Senate

No votes or news coverage recorded for this bill yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

A resolution expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.

Bill NumberSRES 688

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2055-2056)