Book Ban At Glen Ridge Library? NJ Parents Draw Lines In The Sand

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — In “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” a LGBTQIA+ activist delves into their own childhood to examine the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Then there’s “This Book Is Gay,” a young adult book “for anyone who's ever dared to wonder.” In “Here And Queer,” an author offers advice and support for girls about “living your best queer life.”

And if a small group of residents in Glen Ridge have their way, they’ll all be banned from the town’s public library.

Over the past few months, an attempt to remove six books from the library has been raging in the small Essex County suburb, which is set for a showdown on Feb. 8, when the library’s board of trustees will hear an appeal from the eight people who are campaigning against them.

For now, the books will remain on the library’s shelves, administrators say. They include:

• “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johson
• “Here and Queer” by Rowan Ellis and Jacky Sheridan
• “It’s Not the Stork” by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley
• “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley
• “This Book is Gay” by James Dawson
• “You Know, Sex” by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth

WHAT’S THE DEAL?

The Glen Ridge Public Library offers a summary of the battle of books on its website, which revolves around the following question: Are these books “appropriate” for the intended age group?

In October 2022, the library received “request for reconsideration” forms from the group pushing for the ban, Citizens Defending Education. Since then, it has launched a FAQ page with information related to the controversy.

Highlights include:

FREEDOM TO READ – “In all instances, the library defends the principles of the American Library Association’s ‘Freedom to Read Statement’ and the use of library materials. No materials are judged on the basis of the author’s race, nationality, or political, social, or religious beliefs. Materials are judged as entire works, not on isolated passages or selections.”

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU GOT THE REQUEST? – “The library director responded on Nov. 7, 2022 to each individual that submitted a form. The decision of the director was that all of the titles meet the criteria of the Library Materials Selection Policy, and the titles will remain in the library’s collection. In December 2022, the library received a letter from Citizens Defending Education appealing the director’s decision. Clarification was requested as to which individuals were appealing, and at least two individuals from the original eight have requested an appeal as of Jan. 12, 2023. As all of the titles in question are covered by those individuals, the board will consider all six items in their review.”

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BOOKS IN THE MEANTIME? – “As per the library’s Materials Selection Policy: ‘Until such review takes place and a decision is made, no removal or restriction of the questioned item(s) shall take place.’”

BAN THE BOOKS: ‘TEACHING OUR CHILDREN WHAT TO THINK’

According to the library, eight Glen Ridge residents – who hail from five households – have formed an organization to push for the ban, Citizens Defending Education.

The group – which bashes “critical race theory” and “augmenting student reading lists with ideologically driven content on race and sexuality” on its website – says that its members are “seeking transparency and accountability on all issues involving the school district,” particularly the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives being implemented statewide.

The group’s website reads:

“Many of us moved to towns like Glen Ridge because of the reputation of the schools and the expectation our children receive an education that will prepare them for a successful future. However, rather than focusing on traditional education and teaching students ‘how to think,’ public school boards, administrators, and teachers are moving more toward teaching our children ‘what to think.’ While we uphold the right of individuals to choose how they want to live their lives, we also expect the public schools to respect parents’ choices on how they raise their children. Not all parents want their children indoctrinated in race-based theories, reading sexually explicit material, or being taught in the classroom to question their sexuality or gender identity. We don’t believe teacher unions, administrators, local school boards, or outside agencies should be deciding on and implementing a curriculum aimed at shaping our children’s hearts and minds outside the purview of their parents. Our Glen Ridge CDE group, along with many others forming across the nation, is focused on holding our schools accountable and demanding full transparency.”

KEEP THE BOOKS ON THE SHELVES

Meanwhile, another group of local parents, residents, clergy, and educators have been rallying to keep the books in the library.

According to Glen Ridge United Against Book Bans, each of the six books that face a possible ban revolve around sex education or LGBTQ+ references. And Glen Ridge is finally seeing a local version of an “unprecedented rise in organized attempts of censorship and suppression” that’s been happening across the nation.

• See related article: NJ Teachers Union Leaders Concerned By Book Banning In Schools

The group says its members are defending the targeted books, and are also against “attempts to ban or restrict library resources.” And anyone who thinks the same way should show up in support at the Feb. 8 trustee meeting, they say.

“We cherish the [library] and want our children to have access to materials that expand their views of themselves and others,” said Erin Ackerman, a professional librarian and parent of a Glen Ridge fourth-grader.

“Parents have the right to guide their children's reading, but parents should not be making decisions for other’s children,” Ackerman said.

Jessica Fantz, a parent to a 3-year-old and an 8-year-old, agreed.

“I grew up in a time where this type of content was not available,” the Glen Ridge resident said. “How validating, how reassuring, and how essential it is to have representation and answers available that we didn’t have.”

“Access to these books is essential for anyone, to see themselves, or to be able to have empathy and compassion for others who may not be like them,” Fantz said.

Phil Johnson, a Glen Ridge resident who is helping to organize the anti-ban campaign, said that banning the six titles would be equal to “suppressing LGBTQ+ representation.”

“The banning of these books would send a clear message that our friends and neighbors who identify as LGBTQ+ are not welcome in Glen Ridge,” Johnson said.

“We call on our neighbors and community leaders to support the town’s professional librarians in making collection decisions that reflect diverse life experiences and provide a broad range of information that contributes to personal growth,” he added.

That viewpoint was echoed by Talia Schaffer, a Glen Ridge resident and professor of English.

“I have the utmost respect for our librarians, who have deep expertise and extensive experience in choosing books that our town residents can use,” Schaffer said. “I have trusted them for 20 years to choose the books that have delighted and informed my family.”

• See related: NJ Law Will Teach Students How To Be Responsible News Consumers

The debate has drawn a comment from at least one local elected official.

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill said he sides with the anti-ban movement when it comes to the controversy in Glen Ridge. He wrote:

“Few of our rights and freedoms capture the values of this country and ensure our democracy more than the freedom of speech and expression, and few institutions should embody those values more than government-funded public libraries. That’s why the movement in Glen Ridge to ban books from the public library is so egregious, particularly when the subject of those books—gender identity and sexual orientation—speak directly to a person’s right and freedom to express who they are. In this case, this movement is posing a direct threat to the health and safety of our young people, and if you don’t believe that, consider this: According to a 2022 report from the Trevor Project, in the past year 40 percent of LGBTQ youth in New Jersey seriously considered suicide and 14 percent attempted it—yet the same research also shows that these statistics dramatically reverse themselves when LGBTQ youths feel accepted and supported by their families, communities and schools. Our efforts should be directed at creating these communities of support and acceptance, not trying to silence viewpoints with which we don’t agree. I fully support the Glen Ridge Library and the local residents who are standing up to this attack on our democracy to defend and preserve the free exchange of ideas.”

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