To the Editor:

Several people have reached out to me seeking clarification on my response to a question asked at the PTOC Candidate Forum Webinar on October 1. Before I dive into the details, please let me share the exact question:

In PPS, librarians and educators choose the books housed in the school libraries. Do you think the Board should be involved in choosing or banning books?

Based on the pre-set rule, I was the first to respond to this question. I admit that I was initially a bit confused by how the question was worded. I later had a chance to discuss this with the PTOC Forum organizers at a “Meet the Candidates” event, and I got the sense that they might have agreed with me that the question could have been phrased better, especially since it was presented in a simple “yes or no” format.

For reference, a similar question was asked at the Planet Princeton forum in September, the video of which was released on October 12. In that setting, all candidates were given more time and freedom to elaborate on their views. I encourage you check that discussion for my view on this topic.

With this background, I would like to make the following clarifications:

I categorically do not support banning books. It is wrong, it should never happen here. Coming from a place where books have been and continue to be banned for various reasons, I have seen firsthand what this leads to. Typically, it involves the following: the book disappears from circulation and can’t be found anywhere; if someone somehow finds a copy and takes it home, people may report them; authorities show up at their door for possessing the book; and punishment follows, whether through confiscation, fines, or even jail time.

I’ll leave it to you to judge if that’s what is happening here.

However, I do support giving the Board of Education (BOE) and schools more options when it comes to choosing books in school libraries. In fact, I recently learned that State Senator Andrew Zwicker is a co-sponsor of the Freedom to Read Act (S2421), in which the sponsors state “A board of education shall adopt a policy establishing a procedure regarding a request for removal of library material within a school library.” While the reasons for requesting the book removal are always worth debating, it’s clear the bill’s sponsors had a purpose in including this requirement.

Here’s another perspective: Schools and teachers should have the option to choose books they use for instruction. Many Princeton residents hold teaching positions. Hypothetically, for any reasons, if you decide not to choose a particular book as teaching material, does that mean you, and the institutions you are working for, engaged in banning the other books you didn’t pick?

I hope this clarifies my position and response. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. I welcome open debate and discussion.

Shenwei Zhao
BOE Candidate
Prospect Avenue