Happy Holidays!

I know this is a busy time of year, but I have one more very important item to add to your to-do list.

Earlier this month, LWVCNM joined the Freedom to Read New Mexico (FTRNM) Coalition because our First Amendment rights are under increasing threat. The coalition was formed to protect the First Amendment, civil rights, and the right of every New Mexican to access books in public, school, academic, tribal, and rural libraries.

Access to information is not a privilege — it is a fundamental right. It is enshrined in the First Amendment and deeply tied to civil rights. Everyone deserves fair, equitable access to resources in public institutions, free from discrimination and political influence. When books are removed or access is restricted, serious concerns about equality and civil rights arise.

Freedom to Read New Mexico is working to ensure that legislation providing lasting legal protections for readers, students, libraries, and communities is advanced during the 2026 Legislative Session. These rights already exist — now we must protect them. This effort is about supporting diverse voices, preserving history, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and fully participate in society.

What you read — and what your children read — should be your decision, not someone else’s.

In addition to outright book bans, librarians across New Mexico are facing harassment and pressure through “soft censorship” and other tactics. Librarians are trained professionals who take their responsibilities seriously, and there are already robust procedures in place to review books and materials in public libraries. When books are removed outside of these established professional guidelines, it affects the rights of the entire community.

This is where you come in.

Three bills will be ready for introduction in the 2026 legislative session IF the Governor sends a message adding them to the session. I am asking you to write to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and urge her to do just that — send a message to the House and Senate requesting that these bills be included.

This is an opportunity for the Governor to leave a lasting legacy affirming that New Mexico values learning, diversity, libraries, and civil rights. But first, she needs to hear from us.

There is no form letter. Please send a personal letter or postcard, in your own words and your own voice. If you have a story, please include it. It is important to share why protecting books, preserving history, supporting libraries and librarians, and making your own decisions about what is appropriate for you or your children matters to you. Access to books that reflect who we are and what we experience matters to all of us.

Governor’s Address:
The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501

If your calendar is already full, consider adding a reminder to write your letter in early January.

The legislative session begins January 20, 2026, at noon. Legislation may be pre-filed between January 2 and January 16, 2026 — timing matters.

Thank you for standing up for the freedom to read and for helping protect the rights of all New Mexicans.

Warm regards,
Starlyn Brown, President LWVCNM