(BOSTON—11/14/2025) On Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to help Massachusetts Public Libraries more accessibly provide in-demand digital resources such as eBooks and audiobooks. Senator Feeney is the lead sponsor of the bill, as well as the Senate Chair of the Library Legislative Caucus. 

An Act addressing challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections, S.2710, would create a special legislative commission to assess and address challenges faced by public libraries and digital resource collections. Over the last several years, eBooks and audiobooks have become an increasingly prevalent resource used by library patrons, yet they have become a financial burden for already strained public libraries. While libraries are able to purchase physical books at a significant discount, about 45% for hardcovers that the library can keep indefinitely, digital content is rented by the library, often for a higher price than what a regular consumer would pay and for. These contracts often expire after a period of time, or number of checkouts, meaning libraries are forced to pay reoccurring fees at a disproportionally high price.  

"Local public libraries and their dedicated librarians provide unparalleled services that form the backbone of our communities. Yet when it comes to providing access to eBooks and Audiobooks, an increasingly demanded resource used by library patrons, libraries are forced to pay disproportionately high costs, and deal with unreasonable lending restrictions to provide these services, adding an extra burden onto already strained public libraries and reducing the accessibility of these materials for the public. This current reality is unsustainable for our libraries. With the passage of this bill, we are one step closer towards solving this issue in Massachusetts in a way that is fair, enforceable and worthy of the Commonwealth's invaluable public libraries," said Senator Paul Feeney, (D-Foxborough), lead sponsor of the legislation.  

Over the past decade, MA libraries have spent over $50 million in local, state, and federal tax dollars to provide access to digital resources. Yet due to the high, reoccurring cost of renting these materials, most libraries’ electronic resources collection is relatively small, with the average patron having to wait over 2 months for access to popular titles.  

To strengthen access to digital resources at local public libraries, the bill creates a special legislative commission to assess and address challenges faced by public libraries and digital resource collections. The commission would be tasked with examining the evolving landscape of digital resources in public libraries, focusing on costs, access, privacy, and policy implications. The commission would study cost trends that affect libraries and the sustainability of electronic resources, as well as assessing how consumers use these resources. The commission is also tasked with researching expert opinions on the legal differences between digital licensing and traditional print use, identifying how these variations influence user experience and equitable access to diverse collections. Additionally, it investigates how consumer data is managed, used, and shared through library digital platforms to identify potential privacy and consumer protection concerns. By reviewing the actions of other states in digital resource development and management, the commission aims to provide informed recommendations for legislative and executive measures that support the sustainability and accessibility of electronic resources, ensure the continuation of public lending to residents, and safeguard consumer data. 

The commission would be comprised of seventeen members, consisting of: two members of the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate President; the Executive Director of the MA Board of Library Commissioners or designee; the Attorney General or a designee; the director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts Library Association; the president of the Massachusetts School Library Association; the president of the Boston Public Library or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Center for the Book, Inc.; and 6 members  appointed by the governor, including a research librarian from a public research institution of higher education, a representative of the Association of American Publishers, Inc., a representative of a digital distributor of electronic books, an expert in the field of intellectual property or copyright law, an expert in consumer protection laws and a representative from The Authors Guild.  

During session, Senate Feeney and his Senate colleagues also voted to pass An Act regarding free expression, S.2696, which sets statewide standards for selecting and reviewing library materials in schools and public libraries to ensure they are age-appropriate, educational, and chosen based on professional judgment rather than personal or political views. It requires every school district, charter school, and local education agency to adopt and publish a library policy consistent with American Library Association standards, outlining selection procedures and how book challenges are handled. The bill protects educators from penalties when acting in good faith under policy, allows appeals of removal decisions through the courts, and mandates annual reporting of all book challenges by schools.  

Both bills, having passed in the Senate, now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration. 

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