Emotions can drive debates over banning books in school libraries, drawing big crowds and strong objections to sex- and gender-oriented volumes. But while raucous board meetings grab headlines, surveys can reveal a different reality, says Ashley Koning, director of the Rutgers Eagleton Poll.
“We hear the loud and strong voices but they don’t necessarily represent a majority,” Koning said.
A Rutgers Eagleton poll of New Jersey residents found 58% felt “more concerned that some schools may ban books and censor topics that are educationally important, while 35 percent felt more worried schools may teach books and topics viewed as inappropriate or offensive to parents and students. Eight percent are unsure.” The poll was taken Dec. 13-23. “We see over half of almost every single demographic say that they’re more concerned about books being banned rather than about inappropriate content in books,” Koning said.
“People understand that it is un-American to limit access to books, to limit speech, to limit ideas. So, I’m not at all surprised by this poll, and I’m delighted to see it,” said Martha Hickson, a librarian who has drawn harsh criticism, even threats, for refusing to remove several controversial books from the shelves at North Hunterdon-Voorhees High School.
A bill (S-2421) pending in the Senate Education Committee would provide uniform guidelines to evaluate book challenges; limit such challenges to people with “vested interests” — students, parents or teachers in a district; and protect school librarians from civil and criminal lawsuits.
Beth Raff, president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, said, “They will continue to do their due diligence in selecting books. But there is a fear out there because of the loudness of some of the voices in the areas where books are being challenged.”
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon) opposes the bill. “Today we have librarians putting books on the shelves that have graphic sexual content,” said Peterson, who added that people answering polls don’t realize what these books show.
The bill is scheduled for committee debate in Trenton on March 14.
