New Jersey Enacts Measure to Prohibit Book Bans in Schools and Public Libraries

New Jersey's new law, signed by Governor Phil Murphy, bans book bans in public and school libraries, protecting intellectual freedom and promoting diverse perspectives.

on Dec 10, 2024

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey signed a law on Monday that prevents public and school libraries from prohibiting books in the state and provides protections against civil and criminal liabilities for librarians who follow the law.

New Jersey joins other Democrat-led states like Illinois and Minnesota in implementing a ban on book bans. Murphy approved the legislation at the public library in Princeton, located just a short distance from the picturesque Princeton University campus, and highlighted this law in contrast to Republican-led states that have restricted certain books in recent years.

“This stands in stark contrast to the book banning states that we see,” he remarked. “I take great pride in having signed this, but I also recognize that America — and this serves as yet another example — is becoming a diverse patchwork of laws. The location where you reside truly matters.”

The new law forbids public and school libraries from removing books based on the material's origin, background, or the perspectives of its authors. Excluding books solely because someone finds them objectionable will also be banned. However, limitations can be applied regarding “developmentally inappropriate material” for specific age groups. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that local school boards and public library governing bodies establish procedures for book curation and the removal of library materials, including a method for addressing concerns about certain works.

The American Library Association reports that more than 4,200 titles in school and public libraries faced challenges in 2023, significantly surpassing the previous record of nearly 2,600 books in 2022. Many of the books challenged in 2023 addressed LGBTQ+ and racial themes.

In some states, restrictions have escalated to the point where librarians and administrators fear lawsuits, large fines, and even imprisonment for providing materials that some consider unsuitable. Legislators in over 15 states are looking to introduce bills that would impose severe penalties on libraries or librarians in 2024.

Conservative parents and activists contend that these books are excessively sexually explicit or otherwise contentious, rendering them inappropriate, particularly for younger audiences. National organizations like Moms for Liberty assert that parents should have greater authority over the books accessible to their children.

Librarians celebrated the law's passage. Karen Grant, the president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, remarked that the bill acknowledges the professionalism of librarians and enhances libraries as valuable information resources.

“The legislation will safeguard the intellectual freedom of students and recognize that school libraries serve as hubs for voluntary exploration, promoting the growth and development of students,” Grant stated.

Martha Hickson, a retired librarian, recounted her experience during a press event with Murphy, where she described how parents had first alleged that her book collections contained material related to pedophilia and pornography at a school board meeting in 2021. She expressed her shock as she watched the livestream, listening to objections about the availability of the novel “Lawn Boy” and the illustrated memoir “Gender Queer” to students, as they suggested she might face criminal charges.

Visitors come throughout the day to see the home of Saraswati and Prashant Bhilare at Bhilar, many intrigued by the extensive collection of books about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “We possess nearly 800 books concerning the great Maratha emperor,” Prashant notes. Thus, this delightful hill station remains a sanctuary where the beauty of nature and the pleasures of reading coexist harmoniously.