N@N

New Jersey Governor Signs New Law to Limit Book Bans and Protect Librarians

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed a new law aimed at protecting librarians and limiting book bans in public and school libraries. This legislation, known as the "Freedom to Read Act," prohibits the removal of books from library shelves due to political or ideological disagreements. It mandates that libraries adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights or develop their own policies ensuring free access to information. The law also provides protections for librarians against harassment or dismissal for resisting demands to censor materials. This move comes in response to a noted increase in book challenges across the U.S., with New Jersey experiencing a significant rise in such incidents. Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of libraries as places for free thought and learning, not censorship, highlighting the state's commitment to combating what he described as a "rising tide of hate and intolerance."

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/new-jersey-governor-signs-new-law-to-limit-book-bans-and-protect-librarians/ar-AA1vGe5u ]