New Hampshire State Librarian

New Hampshire State Librarian

Recently, the New Hampshire State Librarian Michael York decided to retire. Governor Chris Sununu put in his nomination for Mindy Atwood who is currently the assistant State Librarian. Unfortunately, Sununu pulled back his nomination for Atwood due to the executive councilors voicing worries that Atwood would infringe on parental rights for book bans. Atwood has spoken out against book bans multiple times. Executive Councilor Dave Wheeler does not support Mindy because she is too “woke” and will not be qualified for the position if she pushes her “woke agenda” on local school boards. Michael York spoke out expressing the stupidity of the situation and calling their concerns “silly.” Sununu is now allowing Governor Kelly Ayotte to nominate the next State Librarian in New Hampshire. 

The State Librarian doesn’t have control over the book bans that could possibly be placed by the school board. The message the executive councilors are sending is that they only want a State Librarian who will ban books for parents who want to dictate what their children read. They do not have the greater good in mind when it comes to providing free access to education. Soon, Governor Ayotte will release her nomination, but there has been no updates on the situation since the end of December 2024.