Reading may be fundamental, but these days it’s also controversial.

“Here we are in 2024, debating whether we must fight for the freedom to read.”

So said state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-16, on Monday when a Senate committee approved in a 3-2 party-line vote the aptly-named Freedom to Read Act.

As Zwicker knows, what is also fundamental is a polarizing battle over what books are suitable for school children.

Which is why the act was proposed.

The bill passed the Assembly a few months ago and now goes to the full Senate.

Here is a key passage:

Boards of education and governing boards of public libraries are not to exclude library material from the library because of the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation. Boards of education and governing boards of public libraries are not permitted to engage in censorship.Students and residents are to be able to reserve or check out any developmentally appropriate library material, including diverse and inclusive material.
Further, this committee substitute provides that a school library staff member, librarian, and any staff member of a public library is to be immune from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions in complying with the requirements of the substitute.
As library books have emerged as a political issue – not only in New Jersey, but across the nation – some school librarians have been attacked online or even in person, accused of distributing filth.

One such individual has been Martha Hickson, the librarian at North Hunterdon Regional High School.

“I have been the target of book banners,” she said in a letter to the committee. Not only has she been called a pedophile, she said her car was damaged, presumably by one of her critics.

While Hickson has gotten many accolades from library associations, she said the “chaos” has gotten to her. She plans to resign from her job at the end of the month.

The furor involving Hickson was over five high school library books with gay themes – books the school board ultimately kept in the library.

Zwicker, just before voting yes, suggested that wasn’t coincidental.

He said studies from around the country show that most of the books challenged are related to gays or people of color.

As the lengthy committee hearing ensued, opponents of the bill strenuously denied they were trying to “ban books.” They said they were concerned about pornographic material.

Many critics zeroed in on the part of the bill that granted immunity to library staff.

Why?

Some said that’s simply wrong because like everyone else, librarians need to be held accountable.

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a Republican from Sussex County, spoke against the bill. An educator by profession, she said many of the books being challenged are just inappropriate for students.

Or as she said, “they are not the Judy Blume books” she read growing up.

Kristen Cobo, of Roxbury, spoke of books that are “sexualizing children.”

This theme was aired throughout the hearing, including an assertion that left unchecked, some school library books will have dire consequences for today’s children.

Zwicker at one point broke in and said:

“None of these books has been deemed obscene.”

Later, one speaker said Zwicker will be held accountable for pushing this bill.

Zwicker indicated that would not trouble him.