RI State Rep Honored For Sponsorship Of Freedom To Read Act

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island state representative was honored for sponsoring the Freedom to Read Act.

Books Are Wings, a Pawtucket nonprofit dedicated to promoting childhood literacy by distributing free books to children throughout the state, honored Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart with its Elizabeth M. Dennigan Community Champion award.

The Freedom to Read Act, which became law in 2025, "encourages library selections that provide a wide range of viewpoints and prohibits the censorship of library materials," according to a media release.

"It mandates the creation of a model policy for materials in public and school libraries, and it offers library staff members protection from civil and criminal liability for following that model policy in good faith," the release said.

“I’m so grateful to Books Are Wings for providing children across Rhode Island — especially in our most struggling communities — with books,” Stewart, D-Pawtucket, said in the release.

“I look forward to continuing to support our librarians, authors, readers, public schools, public libraries and all who value learning alongside groups like Books Are Wings and the Imagination Library,” Stewart said.

The community champion award was named for former state representative Elizabeth M. Dennigan, who founded Books Are Wings in 1998.

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