Princeton Takes Stand Against Book Banning, Book Censorship

PRINCETON, NJ — Taking a stand against book banning and book censorship, the Princeton Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring the municipality as a "Book Sanctuary."

"This week is National Library Week and today, April 8, is 'Right to Read Day.' It is, therefore, particularly appropriate that Princeton marks this day by becoming a 'Book Sanctuary,' taking a stand against book banning and censorship and firmly in favor of everyone’s right to determine what they - and their minor children – read," said Councilmember Eve Niedergang on Monday night.

The Council's resolution is also in support of the Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees who also approved a resolution at its March 20 meeting, declaring their opposition to book banning.

Princeton's resolution follows Hoboken, which was the first town in New Jersey to become a "Book Sanctuary," and Chicago to become the first nationally.

"We feel compelled to act because of the vast increase in attempts, many successful, to control what titles are in public libraries and public schools," said Niedergang.

Last year, 4,240 unique book titles were challenged nationwide, a 92 percent increase over 2022 according to the American Library Association.

About 40 percent of those book titles targeted by book bans were written by and about
LGBTQ+ persons and another 40 percent by people of color, said NJ Senator Andrew Zwicker (District 16) at the meeting.

"It is just astounding that we are in 2024 and that we have to declare ourselves a book sanctuary," said Zwicker. "It still boggles my mind."

Zwicker introduced the "Freedom to Read" Act on Jan. 29 which establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library media specialists and librarians from harassment.

"Any parent has the right to have autonomy over their child and what they choose to read. But no parent should have the right to say what I can read and what my children can read or what you can read and what your children can read. And that’s what the NJ Freedom to Read Act is," said Zwicker.

Princeton Library Director Jennifer Podolsky also thanked the community "for coming together to protect the right to read for all Princeton residents."

"It is more important than ever that we stand up for every individual's right to decide what they would like to read," said Podolsky. "In addition, libraries shouldn’t be punished for serving their communities as we see happening in other parts of the country."

Council President Mark Freda commented on the resolution saying, "To me, this is a no-brainer. The fact that we need, as the Senator said, the fact that we need to worry about doing this is just unbelievable."

See below for the full resolution:

PRINCETON RESOLUTION 24-113 by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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