THE RIGHT TO READ: Members of Princeton Council and the Princeton Public Library’s Board posed for a picture following Council’s passage of a resolution declaring the town a Book Sanctuary. From left are Library Board Treasurer Jeffrey Liao, Councilman Leighton Newlin, Library Director Jennifer Podolsky, Board Vice President Christopher Van Buren, Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, Board President Robert Ginsberg, Councilwoman Leticia Fraga, State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, Mayor Mark Freda, and Councilman David Cohen.

By Anne Levin

At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council passed a resolution declaring the town a book sanctuary. The action takes a stance against the significant increase in the banning of books in libraries and schools in New Jersey and across the country.

The governing body also passed an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of a 90-acre property near Herrontown Woods and the Autumn Hill Reservation, bordered by Montgomery Township, Herrontown Road, Herrontown Lane, and Mount Lucas Road. The ordinance preserves the property, which is the second largest tract of undeveloped land in the area, in perpetuity for passive open space.

The unanimous vote to make Princeton a book sanctuary comes a few weeks after Princeton Public Library adopted a similar resolution designating the library a book sanctuary. Members of the library’s board and staff were on hand to encourage Council to vote for the resolution, which recognizes National Library Week and Right to Read Day. Also among the speakers was State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, who recently introduced legislation called the Freedom to Read Act. The legislation supports and protects the rights of people in New Jersey to access materials in libraries and schools, and protects library staff from harassment.

“The fact that we have to declare ourselves a book sanctuary still boggles my mind,” said Zwicker. “We are going to protect librarians. No librarian ever signed up for this. The bill is out there, and we’re building political momentum,” he added, urging people to reach out to their local legislators.

Councilwoman Eve Niedergang introduced the resolution. “The freedom to read is a fundamental American right, the First Amendment put into practice,” she said, adding that Hoboken was the first New Jersey municipality to take such a step. Last year, more than 4,000 unique book titles were challenged, a 92 percent increase in such actions over the year before. “We feel compelled to act,” Niedergang concluded.

The resolution states “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.”

During a report on Princeton Public Library, Director Jennifer Podolsky said an average of 1,700 people visit a day. The focus continues to be about ensuring the library is for everyone. “I’m extremely proud of this community for coming together to protect the right to read for all Princeton residents,” she said. “Libraries shouldn’t be punished for serving their communities.”

The ordinance to acquire the property near Herrontown Woods and the Autumn Hill Reservation was introduced by Council last last month following several years of combined effort by the Friends of Princeton Open Space, The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the Ridgeview Conservancy, and The Watershed Institute. Each are donating grant funding towards the purchase. Other funding comes from the Green Acres grant program, private donors, and the municipality’s Open Space Trust Fund.

Representatives from the four organizations that collaborated on the initiative spoke in support of the measure. The acquisition is part of the “Emerald Necklace” that seeks to connect open land throughout the area, providing better access to a more diverse group of community members. Lanwin Development had previously proposed a development of 29 single family homes clustered on half-acre lots on the site.

“This process has been underway for several years. It’s the green infrastructure that Princeton needs to support the smart growth that’s concentrated downtown and elsewhere,” said Christopher Barr, executive director of the Ridgeview Conservancy. “This is one more step where our generation of Princeton residents and organizations is really trying to secure the future for future residents, both in Princeton and in the area.”

Representing The Watershed Institute, Sophie Glovier pointed out that the property is “a fundamental part of the vernal habitat in this community.” Jay Watson of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation said, “We will not see many other opportunities to protect a tract of land in Princeton of this size and importance. Accomplishing projects of this magnitude have a lot of moving parts. Many of you have been at this for a very long time. A dream team has convened to get these projects done. We thank all of the Princeton team for getting us to this important point.”

Also at the meeting Drew Dyson, chief executive officer of the Center for Modern Aging Princeton, reported 25 percent growth in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year. Formerly known as the Princeton Senior Resource Center, the organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary beginning this fall. Among the programs planned are the launch of an adult volunteer corps, more “transition to retirement” programs, and a symposium on ageism in the community. Council voted to pass a resolution awarding the organization an amount not to exceed $166,965 for a one-year term.