Library Aid and the Freedom to Read Act

Library Aid and Freedom to Read Act

The New Jersey legislative session ended on a positive note for the two initiatives that NJLA was championing. In a difficult budget year, Library Network Aid, which was originally budgeted to be cut by 20%, was fully restored to last year's level, and allocated an additional $200,000 for 2024-25. This is good news for all New Jersey libraries, because we all benefit from a strong New Jersey State Library and LibraryLinkNJ. In addition, on June 28, the New Jersey Assembly passed A3446, the Freedom to Read Act, sponsored by Mitchelle Drulis, Shavonda E. Sumter, Herb Conaway, ,Jr., with 15 co-sponsors. We look forward to the Senate passing its version of the bill, S2421, when it reconvenes in the fall.

These successes would not have happened without a strong NJLA membership, library advocates and partners across New Jersey, and strong leadership from NJLA's Executive Board and its Public Policy and Intellectual Freedom Committees, along with expertise and dedication from our colleagues at Porzio Governmental Affairs, the firm that NJLA hired on February 1. Thank you for your participation in NJLA and your library advocacy!