Research libraries are expected to provide and preserve collections in support of their institutions' research and teaching priorities and to support long-term access to cultural, historical, and scientific works. In today's polarized political environment, both libraries and universities have been at the heart of controversy. In this project, the authors examine some of the impacts of this polarization at public research university libraries. To do so, the authors examine and compare experiences among library leaders in two different contexts. They look carefully at states that have already passed laws or policies limiting the way programs, positions, or funds can be used to support diversity, equity, and inclusion or issues related to sex, gender, and sexuality, as well as states where these laws advanced in legislatures or regulatory bodies but were tabled or defeated. The research approach serves to distinguish the direct impacts of restrictive policies from the indirect impacts generated by the overall political environment. The findings can serve as a baseline for performing broader studies on these topics and to track change over the course of time.