New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs bill prohibiting book bans into law
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a groundbreaking bill into law on Monday that will prohibit public libraries and school libraries from banning books in the state. The new law also includes protections for librarians who adhere to the legislation, safeguarding them from civil and criminal charges. This move makes New Jersey the latest state to enact such a law, following in the footsteps of other Democrat-led states like Illinois and Minnesota.
The bill signing took place at the Princeton Public Library, situated near Princeton University. Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of this legislation in response to Republican-leaning states that have attempted to remove books from school curriculum and libraries in recent years. These targeted books are often deemed inappropriate for young readers due to their content, which may include sexually explicit material or focus on LGBTQ+ or Critical Race Theory themes.
“It’s the antithesis of all these book banning states that you see,” Governor Murphy stated. “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.”
Under the new law, public and school libraries are prohibited from excluding books based on their origin, background, or the views of the material or its authors. Libraries are also banned from censoring books simply because someone finds them offensive. However, books may be restricted if they contain “developmentally inappropriate material” for certain age groups.
The legislation mandates that local school boards and governing bodies of public libraries establish policies for book curation and the removal of library materials. This includes a process to address concerns over specific titles. More than 15 states have proposed bills this year that would impose severe penalties on libraries or librarians.
Conservative parents and activists argue that certain books are too explicit or inappropriate, particularly for young children. Groups like Moms for Liberty believe that parents should have a greater say in determining which books should be available to their children. However, librarians have welcomed the new law, with Karen Grant, president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, praising it for recognizing librarians’ professionalism and promoting libraries as valuable sources of information.
During the bill signing event, retired librarian Martha Hickson shared her experience of being targeted by parents who accused her of including pedophilia and pornography in her book collections. She recounted how parents objected to books like “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison and “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe. Hickson expressed relief and joy at the new legislation, calling it a victory after enduring years of harassment.
The law is scheduled to go into effect in a year, with the state education commissioner and state librarian taking steps to implement its provisions. This move solidifies New Jersey’s commitment to intellectual freedom and the importance of access to diverse literature in libraries across the state.
