1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

The protection of free speech and open access to knowledge is essential for a healthy democracy. Criminalizing librarians for carrying out their duties would set a dangerous precedent of government overreach and censorship. Libraries play a vital role in communities by providing educational resources and fostering intellectual curiosity. Pursuing criminal charges against those working to uphold these democratic values is an unacceptable violation of civil liberties. We must ensure librarians can operate without fear of prosecution for making information available to the public. Preserving the freedom to read and explore ideas freely is crucial for an informed citizenry.