Avon/Canton Lawmaker Earns Major Honor From Library Organization

AVON/CANTON, CT — State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, D-Avon, has been named a 2026 Legislator of the Year by the Connecticut Library Association for her support of libraries and work on digital access legislation.

The association announced the award this week, citing Kavros DeGraw’s advocacy for Connecticut libraries and her role in co-authoring legislation related to eBook licensing for libraries.

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Kavros DeGraw, who represents the 17th House District towns of Avon and Canton, was first elected in 2020 and is serving her third term in the state House of Representatives.

She currently serves as House chairwoman of the Planning and Development Committee and is also a member of the Public Health and Appropriations committees.

According to the Connecticut Library Association, Kavros DeGraw and state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, co-authored legislation intended to require publishers to negotiate fair licensing terms with libraries for digital materials.

The organization said the proposal helped position Connecticut as a national leader in discussions surrounding library access to eBooks and other digital content.

“Representative DeGraw has been an unwavering advocate for Connecticut libraries and the communities they serve,” Connecticut Library Association President Erin Dummeyer said in a statement. “Her leadership on eBook legislation has helped elevate the national conversation around fair access to digital content and the vital role libraries play in ensuring equitable access to information.”

The Connecticut Library Association’s Legislator of the Year Award recognizes elected officials who support libraries, literacy and public access to information.

The award ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 13, at the Mark Twain Library in Redding.

In addition to Kavros DeGraw and Blumenthal, state Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, state Sen. Tony Hwang, D-Fairfield, and state Sen. Ceci Maher, D-Wilton, were also honored by the CLA.