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5/22/2026
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Rhode Island Library Association honors lawmakers Morales, McKenney with Library Champion award
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 STATE HOUSE — The Rhode Island Library Association honored Sen. Mark McKenney and Rep. David Morales at the organization’s annual meeting Wednesday with its Library Champion award.
The two lawmakers were lauded for their sponsorship and advocacy of the Freedom to Read Act (2025-S 0238B, 2025-H 5726A), which was enacted last year. The law promotes the free expression and free access of information by prohibiting the censorship of library materials.
“The passage of the Freedom to Read Act was a powerful victory for democracy, education, and the fundamental right to access knowledge,” said Representative Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence). “I am honored and humbled to receive this award from those who gave so many years of advocacy to make it clear that no one should be able to censor books or intimidate those who share them.”
Senator McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) echoed those sentiments, saying, “Reading is a gift, and it is so important that we stay protective of the gift of reading and that when someone wants to take it away, whether by banning books directly or by launching lawsuits attempting to intimidate libraries, schools and librarians because of a book they have on their shelves, we fight. I thank the Library Association for this honor and I look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to make our libraries bastions of the free and open exchange of ideas.”
Representative Morales is a champion for the power of public libraries in meeting community needs, in particular working-class families. He is a regular visitor to the Mt. Pleasant Library in Providence and has secured annual legislative grants to support the library. As his alter-ego, Spider-Man, Representative Morales thrills families at story-times around the city. In April 2022, Representative Morales launched a nine-library advocacy event, inviting other state and local officials to join him to highlight the work of the Community Libraries of Providence and to express the urgent need for full state funding for libraries in Rhode Island.
Senator McKenney has been a longtime advocate and champion for libraries. Before his election to the Senate, Senator McKenney served on the Library Board of Rhode Island from 2001 to 2013 and served as chair from 2001 to 2010. Along with other Rhode Island advocates and librarians, he attended the ALA National Library Legislative Day on several occasions and advocated for federal funding for libraries. Senator McKenney also served on the Board of Trustees of both the Providence Public Library and the Community Libraries of Providence.
“Representative Morales and Senator McKenney have been the lead sponsors of some of the most important library related legislation in the past several years, including state aid for libraries, eBook pricing and the Freedom to Read Act, which would not have become law without their leadership and advocacy,” said Cranston Public Library Director Ed Garcia and Community Libraries of Providence Executive Director Cheryl Space in a joint statement. “They worked tirelessly with the Freedom to Read coalition to get these bills passed and signed into law. For these reasons and in recognition of their lasting commitment to and continuing support of libraries, we are honored to nominate Senator McKenney and Representative Morales.”
IN PHOTO: From left, Rep. David Morales, Sen. Mark McKenney and Rhode Island Library Association President Benjamin Hanley.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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