BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
New Jersey is making news as the latest state to prohibit book restrictions in public and school libraries. Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation on Monday, December 9 that prohibits censorship while also protecting libraries from legal and criminal consequences for maintaining inclusive collections.
Murphy spoke from the Princeton Public Library, near Princeton University’s renowned ivy-covered walls, framing the act as a progressive antidote to the wave of book bans sweeping across Republican-led states.
“It’s the antithesis of all these book-banning states that you see,” Murphy declared. “I’m incredibly proud to have signed it, but also acknowledge that America … is becoming a patchwork quilt country. It really matters where you live.”
The new law positions New Jersey alongside other Democrat-led states like Illinois and Minnesota, which have also enacted protections against book bans.
What does the law cover?
Libraries in New Jersey are banned by law from removing books based on their content, the author’s opinions, or the material’s origin. The measure specifically forbids censorship simply because a book is deemed offensive by an individual. However, it does allow for age-appropriate restrictions to ensure materials align with developmental suitability.
The law also requires local school boards and library governing bodies to set explicit procedures for book selection and removal. This includes providing formal channels for addressing complaints about specific materials and fostering transparency and accountability.
Why this law matters
The law comes in the wake of unprecedented attempts to restrict access to books in the United States. According to the American Library Association (ALA), more than 4,200 books in school and public libraries were challenged in 2023, a significant increase over the previous record high of roughly 2,600 in 2022. Many of the targeted works address LGBTQ+ identification and racial concerns.
Conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups across the country, like Moms for Liberty, claim that such novels are too explicit or contentious, especially for young readers. Some states have tightened regulations to the point where librarians and instructors face lawsuits, penalties, or even incarceration for giving access to certain books.
New Jersey’s statute serves as a safeguard in this increasingly volatile environment. Karen Grant, president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, described the measure as a win for intellectual freedom. “The bill will protect the intellectual freedom of students as well as acknowledge that school libraries are centers for voluntary inquiry, fostering students’ growth and development,” she said.
Voices of resilience
The law also gives much-needed relief to librarians who have been at the core of these fights. Martha Hickson, a retired librarian, spoke alongside Murphy at the bill signing, sharing her harrowing experience of being accused of promoting inappropriate content during a school board meeting in 2021.
Hickson described how parents objected to works like Lawn Boy and Gender Queer, even suggesting she face criminal charges. After years of harassment, she expressed satisfaction with the additional safeguards. “I’m thrilled,” Hickson exclaimed. “After more than three years of harassment, this legislation is a relief to readers and librarians.”
What’s next?
Though the law won’t take effect for another year, preparations are already underway. The state’s education commissioner and librarian will begin enacting the rules required to sustain the new safeguards.
This legislation sends a strong message that libraries are still safe havens for learning and exploration. In a politically divided society, New Jersey’s move emphasizes the long-term value of intellectual freedom.
