This blog is originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

The Freedom to Read Act safeguards both books and the librarians who curate them.

On Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed the Freedom to Read Act into law, making it illegal for libraries and public schools to ban books.

“Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others,” Murphy said in a statement. “I’m proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely.”

On social media, Murphy also emphasized that “reading freely is key to helping our children become lifelong learners.”

“Part of our responsibility as educators and education policymakers is to empower students by providing access to diverse ideas, knowledge, and perspectives,” said New Jersey Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “The Freedom to Read Act demonstrates our commitment to the educational excellence that defines our state. Through this legislation, we are protecting the integrity of our libraries, curated by dedicated professionals, and ensuring these resources are available to help every student grow as a critical thinker.”

Though the law will not take effect for a year, both the New Jersey state librarian and state education commissioner can begin implementing it as necessary. The law stipulates that libraries cannot ban books based on the origin, background, or views presented in the text or by its authors. Librarians are also prohibited from removing books they personally disagree with.

Additionally, school boards and library governing bodies are required to establish policies for curating and removing materials, as well as implementing systems for addressing book challenges.

The legislation also shields public library staff from criminal and civil liability for actions taken in good faith under the law, such as stocking “diverse and inclusive material” and providing residents access to all library materials.

New Jersey joins other states like Illinois, California, and Maryland, which have enacted similar measures in response to the rising trend of book banning. Last year, Illinois became the first state to pass such a bill, addressing the growing national concern over restricted access to books.

A recent report from the free-speech nonprofit PEN America revealed a significant surge in book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, with more than 10,000 books banned across the U.S. This is a sharp increase from the 3,362 books banned the previous year.

PEN America highlighted that banned books often include titles featuring romance, sexual experiences, rape or sexual abuse, as well as works with LGBTQ+ themes or those addressing race, racism, and characters of color.

Florida and Iowa have led the nation in book bans, recording over 8,000 instances between the two states. These bans are largely driven by stricter laws aimed at limiting access to certain books.

The organization also noted that these figures likely undercount the total number of book bans, as many go unreported. Schools have also implemented “soft” book bans, including policies that discourage students from checking out certain books, restricting who can access specific materials, canceling book fairs, and removing classroom collections.