Episode

When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
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44:18
Published: Wed Dec 07 2022
Description

This episode contains strong language. In the contentious debate over who controls what happens in America’s schools, a new battleground has emerged: library books.This is the story of what happened when parents in one town in New Jersey tried to remove a handful of books that they said were explicit and sexually inappropriate — and the battle that ensued.Guest: Alexandra Alter, a reporter covering publishing and the literary world for The New York Times. Background reading: As highly visible and politicized book bans have exploded across the United States, librarians — accustomed to being seen as dedicated public servants in their communities — have found themselves on the front lines of an acrimonious culture war, with their careers and their personal reputations at risk.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Chapters
Martha Hickson, a high school librarian in Annandale, New Jersey, discusses a controversial battle that emerged when parents demanded the removal of several books from the library collection, citing explicit and inappropriate sexual content.
00:00 - 02:07 (02:07)
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Book Censorship
Summary

Martha Hickson, a high school librarian in Annandale, New Jersey, discusses a controversial battle that emerged when parents demanded the removal of several books from the library collection, citing explicit and inappropriate sexual content.

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily
The book "Lawn Boy" by Jonathan Ebison was questioned at a board meeting in a high school in North Hunter Newport, potentially facing a complaint.
02:07 - 05:41 (03:33)
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Education
Summary

The book "Lawn Boy" by Jonathan Ebison was questioned at a board meeting in a high school in North Hunter Newport, potentially facing a complaint. The librarian in charge of the collection considers various factors when selecting books to include.

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily
Conservative parent groups are organizing to oppose the teaching of certain curriculums, including those that feature LGBTQ themes and characters in schools.
05:41 - 11:11 (05:29)
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Parental Rights Movement
Summary

Conservative parent groups are organizing to oppose the teaching of certain curriculums, including those that feature LGBTQ themes and characters in schools. These groups, now part of a national movement called the parental rights movement, are getting support from conservative donors and politicians.

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily
A school district in Minnesota is deciding whether to remove books from its library that parents argue are inappropriate for their children.
11:11 - 24:59 (13:48)
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School Education
Summary

A school district in Minnesota is deciding whether to remove books from its library that parents argue are inappropriate for their children. The focus has shifted from the idea that the books contain obscenities to whether books featuring LGBTQ characters have a place in the library.

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily
A school district in Missouri faced controversy over a proposal to remove LGBTQ books from the library shelves.
24:59 - 29:41 (04:41)
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LGBTQ Rights
Summary

A school district in Missouri faced controversy over a proposal to remove LGBTQ books from the library shelves. The school board ultimately voted to keep most of the books, but banned "This Book is Gay".

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily
Parents who feel unheard and ignored by their local school board are running for school board positions backed by Conservative groups to restrict books on certain subjects and make it easier to get books removed from school libraries.
29:41 - 41:09 (11:27)
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Parental Rights Movement
Summary

Parents who feel unheard and ignored by their local school board are running for school board positions backed by Conservative groups to restrict books on certain subjects and make it easier to get books removed from school libraries.

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily
Warnock wins Georgia Senate runoff while Trump Organization is convicted on 17 counts of financial crimes, including tax fraud.
41:09 - 44:12 (03:02)
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Georgia, Trump Organization, Raphael Warnock, Herschel Walker
Summary

Warnock wins Georgia Senate runoff while Trump Organization is convicted on 17 counts of financial crimes, including tax fraud.

Episode
When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
Podcast
The Daily