“Support for freedom of reading”

As of this month, 31 library systems and four municipalities in New Jersey are book sanctuaries, according to the Hoboken Public Library website. And the Moorestown Library became the first in South Jersey on July 24, when its board of trustees passed a resolution establishing a sanctuary.

“With the increasing number of book bans, certain groups have indicated that they want libraries or schools not to accept books they don't like. Libraries have traditionally always supported the freedom of their users to read what they want and have not allowed individuals to influence or violate other people's rights,” said library director Joan Serpico.

The Hoboken Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously last August to declare the facility a book sanctuary. The following month, Hoboken became New Jersey's first book sanctuary city.

A safe space is a place where access to books and the right to read them are part of the mission of a library.

“I think what makes it different and what sets us apart is the outward statement: 'We value books (and) we value readers,' and we want to make that statement very openly and consciously,” explains library visitor and township resident Amy Penwell.

“At the library, everyone is safe, seen and valued…” she added. “That's what we do. Hopefully there will be programming that goes along with being a book sanctuary that encourages community discussion about reading, books and stories, brings us closer together as readers and highlights the role of our library in our community.”

For a library to become a book sanctuary, its governing body must pass a formal resolution establishing its status. Sanctuaries commit to at least one of the following: collecting and protecting endangered books, making these books widely available, hosting lectures and events on banned books, and educating others about the history of book banning and burning.

“The library is already one of the cornerstones of any community,” noted Penwell, “and so it is a great advantage for us to see it continue to expand its role as a vibrant part of the city, encouraging discussion and engagement and communicating its messages very consciously…

“I couldn’t be prouder.”

Libraries have long-established policies and procedures that allow patrons to raise concerns about the suitability of certain titles. The Book Sanctuary Resolution ensures that these procedures are followed.

“One of the foundations of professional librarianship is the idea that we don't censor,” said Joan Bernstein, trustee of the Moorestown library. “There's a saying: 'I have something in my library that offends everyone,' and that's a great way to look at it. If you have a truly representative collection, that should be the case.”

“At a time when more and more books are being questioned and libraries are being asked to take things off their shelves because of individual views, we felt that while we had done everything we could to address this, we needed to make sure the public knew about it,” Serpico noted.

“Instead of doing our work in silence, we simply emphasize: 'This book prohibits and impairs your ability to read what you want, but we want you to know that we will continue to protect your freedom to read in the library.'”

In addition to the Moorestown library, sanctuaries are now available at the Pennsauken, Jersey City, Cranbury, Edison and Plainfield libraries. For a complete list, visit www.hobokenlibrary.org./booksanctuary/.

“I think we're no different than other libraries in South Jersey in our commitment to reading freedom,” Serpico noted. “I think that's the definition of a library for most of this country, frankly… I'm excited that we can continue this movement.”