Warren County: Say No to Anonymous Unvetted Reviews

At the June library commission meeting, Meryl Barny-McGinley, Administrative Secretary for the Warren County Library bravely shared this statement. She has attended library commission meetings on behalf of the library since 2017, and has now retired. Unfortunately, the library commission would not let her share the entire statement, citing the 4 minute limit to public statements. So I want to present it here in its entirety.

A transcript is available here, if you wish to read or share it.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dfz0mieaqpgdljwl83lj5/Meryl-s-letter-WCL-commission-meeting-6_24_25.docx?rlkey=sznd6xmidh7apxkctu4y5webe&st=fp28guvz&dl=0

From the Ridge View Echo

Library Commission Meeting Draws Criticism Over Governance, Book Access

The Warren County Library Commission meeting had a limited agenda since bylaw revisions are still in the works, but once again public comment dominated the Tuesday, June 24 meeting amid ongoing concerns over governance and transparency.

Read the article at https://ridgeviewecho.com/2025/06/30/library-commission-meeting-draws-criticism-over-governance-book-access/

Let's keep the momentum going! We're meeting this summer to plan for fall. Together we'll discuss the ongoing concerns with the library commission, develop goals and strategies to address problems such as corruption and censorship, and brainstorm ways to get the message out.

Dates:
Sunday, July 13, 12 pm at Belvidere Books
Tuesday, July 22, 6 pm at Man Skirt Brewing
Sunday, August 10, 12 pm at Belvidere Books
Tuesday, August 19, 6 pm at Man Skirt Brewing

Are you interested in virtual meetings? Please let us know with this form!
https://forms.gle/Abptorkv9dBTx7zu6

The next Warren County Library Commission Meeting is on June 24 at 5:30 pm at the Richard D. Gardner Branch, 2 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ 07823 (just off Rt. 519).

If you wish to attend the meeting virtually, please register using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qn42CUleRXi2XrZYypP7qQ

The agenda can be found on the Library Commission's webpage at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting: https://warrenlib.org/content/warren-county-library-commission

Join Warren County Freedom to Read:
Website: https://www.fightforthefirst.org/groups/warren-county-nj-freedom-to-read
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/warrencountyrejectsbookbans

May Warren County Library Commission Meeting

The meeting will be held at the Richard D. Gardner Branch, White Township. If you wish to attend the meeting virtually, please register using the link below.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DOjiITaZQuyoS-OQfDGOmQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The agenda can be found on the Library Commission's webpage: https://warrenlib.org/content/warren-county-library-commission

I'm asking everyone, yes everyone, to send an email to [email protected] to share your thoughts this month. Send your letter no later than April 21 at 4:30 pm. If you have questions specifically request a response. Prepare to attend on April 22 either in person or online. We need to make it clear with our numbers that we support the freedom to read and our libraries! Make then hear us so they can't continue to ignore us.

REMINDER! Warren County Library Commission meeting tonight (3/25) at 5:30 pm at the Gardner Branch (2 Shotwell Drive, White Township). Positive pressure is working! Keep showing up, speaking up, and shining a light on the library commission's actions. Let them know we want a public library that respects the First Amendment and serves EVERYONE in our community!
DETAILS HERE -> https://warrenlib.libnet.info/event/12703554

BookLooks is shutting down their website, but this doesn't mean they're going away. There is a good chance they are consolidating their efforts with other similar sites. Even if BookLooks goes offline, the fight continues as we demand the Library Commission recommends only professional, vetted, reliable websites are resources to our community.

Learn more at https://bookriot.com/booklooks-shutting-down/

The BookLooks site will be ceasing operation on March 23, While this is good news, the fact that the website has failed after barely two years in operation supports our argument that this resource should never have been recommended to the public in the first place. In addition, there is well-founded concern that the Library Commission will swiftly suggest other sites, such as Screen It First, as a replacement. They have suggested such sites in the past, and it seems clear they are seeking to elevate politically-biased, unprofessional, anonymous websites as part of their overall agenda. Our issues with these sites remains the same as our objection to BookLooks. The library and Library Commission should be recommending only reputable, authoritative, quality, professional review sources. We support the use of high-quality, time-tested resources such as Kirkus and BookList for our community.

February 28, 2025 article by Ridge View Echo
"Library Board Recommends Butcher as Director Amid Ongoing BookLooks Controversy"
https://ridgeviewecho.com/2025/02/28/library-board-recommends-butcher-as-director-amid-ongoing-booklist-controversy/

November 26, 2024 article by Ridge View Echo
"Warren County Library Votes to Display List of Book Content and Review Websites Amid Debate"
https://ridgeviewecho.com/2024/11/26/warren-county-library-votes-to-display-list-of-book-content-and-review-websites-amid-debate/