Our history

A newly formed coalition of concerned Westborough residents called Westborough Against Censorship gathered at the Annual Westborough Town Meeting on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Westborough High School to protest local efforts to censor and ban books in the Westborough Public Library. The coalition’s goal is to publicize and oppose all current and future attempts to censor library materials. Hundreds of community members responded positively to an informational table set up at Westborough High School’s auditorium lobby during Town Meeting in response to a complaint and reconsideration request lodged by a mother whose 15 month old came across a book for 10-14 year old girls explaining puberty and reproductive organs, written by board certified REI and OB/GYN Dr. Allison K. Rodgers https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781684492848/weneedtotalkaboutvaginas ). The same mother called for defunding the library at Town Meeting unless all materials that she personally considers sexually explicit are removed. Fortunately the Library funding Article 12 passed by a vote of 239-46, well over the two-thirds majority required.

On March 29, 2023 we took action! It was standing room only at the Library Trustees meeting at the Westborough Public Library. The issue of reconsideration of the book in question was taken up by the trustees. Our big turnout in support of the book, our librarians, staff, and library was a huge morale boost, and the trustees voted unanimously to keep the book in the library (while agreeing to display it higher up out of reach of very young children and toddlers)!

We will post our latest news bulletins on our Home page, and other actions to take on our Take Action page.