SEND AN EMAIL: Ask Your NJ State Legislators to Co-Sponsor Freedom to Read Legislation
The legislation would also protect librarians from being sued for doing their jobs and enable them to file a civil action against someone who harasses them.
Censorship is on the rise, and the freedom to read is under threat in New Jersey and across the country. After two years of rising censorship, the time to act is now. Help the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) to put an end to book bans in schools and public libraries by contacting your New Jersey Assembly Member and state Senator and asking them to co-sponsor Sen. Zwicker's Freedom to Read bill.
The Freedom to Read bill, S2421 and A3446 sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker (LD16), Senator Teresa Ruiz (LD29) and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis (LD16) is a comprehensive, affirmative bill that would protect the right to read in libraries across New Jersey. Through a civil rights lens, libraries would not be able to exclude materials because of the origin, background, or views of their authors. Both school and public libraries are included in this bill and would require that libraries develop and adapt selection and challenge policies governing their collections. The legislation would also protect librarians from being sued for doing their jobs and enable them to file a civil action against someone who harasses them.
Because book banning affects all readers, the right to read is not a partisan issue. Americans on both sides of the political aisle oppose censorship. An October 2023 IPSOS poll found that 78% of Americans are less likely to support a candidate who favors book bans. Recognizing the danger of censorship, legislators in Illinois and California have already passed “right to read” bills. New York and Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing similar bills. As a national leader in educational excellence, New Jersey should join these states in establishing protections for intellectual freedom.
Please join the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) and SWEEP NJ to send a message to the Assembly and Senate Leadership that New Jersey should protect the Freedom to Read.