New Jersey Governor Signs Law Banning Book Bans – Latest State to Enact Legislation
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, took a monumental step on Monday by signing a bill into law that prohibits public libraries and school libraries from banning books in the state. This historic move aims to safeguard intellectual freedom and protect librarians from civil and criminal charges if they adhere to the law, as reported by The Associated Press.
New Jersey Leads the Way
Governor Murphy signed the bill at Princeton’s public library, located near prestigious Princeton University. This places New Jersey at the forefront of states enacting legislation against book bans, aligning with other Democrat-led states like Illinois and Minnesota. The legislation comes in response to the concerning trend in Republican-leaning states that have sought to remove books from school curriculum and libraries, citing reasons such as sexually explicit material, LGBTQ+ themes, or Critical Race Theory.
Protecting Intellectual Freedom
Under the new law, public libraries and school libraries are prohibited from excluding books based on their content’s origin, background, or authors’ views. Libraries are not allowed to censor books simply because they might be offensive to some individuals. However, books can be restricted if they contain “developmentally inappropriate material” for specific age groups.
Praise and Celebration
The enactment of this law has been met with praise from the library community. Karen Grant, president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, emphasized that the bill acknowledges librarians’ professionalism and positions libraries as vital sources of information and growth for students. The law also recognizes school libraries as places for voluntary inquiry, essential for students’ intellectual development.
During the signing ceremony, retired librarian Martha Hickson shared a personal story about facing accusations of pedophilia and pornography in her book collections during a school board meeting in 2021. Hickson recounted how parents objected to books like “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison and “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, which they deemed inappropriate.
After years of harassment, Hickson expressed relief and joy at the law’s passing, emphasizing the importance of protecting readers and librarians alike. The law is scheduled to take effect in a year, with preparations already underway by the state education commissioner and state librarian to implement the necessary measures.
In conclusion, Governor Murphy’s decisive action sets a precedent for upholding intellectual freedom and ensuring access to diverse literature for all residents of New Jersey. This legislation marks a significant milestone in the fight against censorship and book bans, reaffirming the value of libraries as spaces for learning, growth, and exploration.
