The Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees passed a resolution on June 13 to declare The Cranbury Public Library a “book sanctuary.”
A book sanctuary is a space where access to books and the right to read them are at the
forefront of its mission, according to the Hoboken Public Library, which became the first library to become a book sanctuary in New Jersey.
A book sanctuary is declared via a formal resolution adopted by an organization’s governing
body. Through this resolution, the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees reaffirms its
commitment to intellectual freedom.
As a book sanctuary library, the Cranbury Public Library shall be a place to: borrow and
read challenged books; make endangered books accessible pursuant to the standards of quality
and diversity that constitute the Cranbury Public Library’s own collection policy; host programs
and events that may include banned and challenged books; and educate others on the history
of book banning and burning.
As of June, 27 library systems and four municipalities in New Jersey are book sanctuaries.
Below is the Cranbury Public Library resolution:
WHEREAS, the freedom to read is a human right, constitutionally protected by the First
Amendment of the United States Constitution, and individuals have the right to free inquiry and
the equally important right to form their own opinions; and
WHEREAS, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has
the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions
without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media
and regardless of frontiers”; and
WHEREAS, books do not require readers to agree with topics or themes but instead allow
readers to explore and engage with differing perspectives to form and inform their own views;
and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Public Library strives to address the needs of all segments of
Cranbury’s heterogeneous community for timely information that will prepare library users to
address the issues that impact them and the community; and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Public Library’s collection represents diverse points of view both to
reflect the community and to support the free exchange of contrasting views and ideas that is
critical to a democracy; and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Public Library provides that access without endorsing or agreeing
with every idea in circulation; and
WHEREAS, it is contrary to a democratic spirit and the free exchange of ideas to bar access to
writings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author; and
WHEREAS, it is contrary to a democratic spirit and the free exchange of ideas to label,
judge, censor, and/or segregate works as subversive or dangerous and inhibit public access to
controversial material; and
WHEREAS, book bans often seek to impose restrictions based on the political, ideological, or
cultural preferences of the individuals calling for book bans; and
WHEREAS, over the last several years, there has been a significant increase in censorship
activities in the United States resulting in books being removed from library shelves and
schools; and
WHEREAS, legislation passed, bills introduced, and executive orders implemented in numerous
states seek to ban books and access to books, and are often targeted at books written by and about LGBTQ+ persons and people of color, outsiders, newcomers and people from marginalized backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees declare their opposition to the
banning of books in any form; and
WHEREAS; the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees affirms a diversity of experiences
and perspectives and recognizes the equal humanity and dignity of all persons; and
WHEREAS the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees embrace the freedom to read as a
cornerstone of democracy; and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees recommits to its 2017 endorsement
of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and their Freedom to Read
statement; and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Public Library has a material selection process that is fair,
deliberative, equitable, and accessible to the public as set forth in its Collection Development
and Maintenance Policy adopted by the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees declare
that the Cranbury Public Library is a book sanctuary library.
