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New Jersey becomes latest state to prohibit bans on books in school, public libraries


Published on 2024-12-09 13:41:52 - MSN
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  • New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law Monday to prohibit public and school libraries from banning books in the state and to enshrine protections against civil and criminal charges for librarians who comply with the law.

New Jersey has become the latest state to enact legislation prohibiting the banning of books in school and public libraries, joining states like Illinois, California, and Maryland in this movement. The new law, signed by Governor Phil Murphy, aims to protect access to diverse materials and prevent censorship based on political or ideological reasons. This legislative action was spurred by a significant increase in book challenges, with the American Library Association reporting a 65% rise in attempts to ban books in 2023 compared to the previous year. The law mandates that libraries adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights or develop policies ensuring free access to information, thereby safeguarding the right to read and learn freely.

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