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To: The Warren County Library Commission

Warren County: Say No to Anonymous Unvetted Reviews

Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash
The Warren County Library Commission must immediately rescind its official endorsement of BookLooks.org and never include it, or sites like it, as recommended book review resources for our public libraries.

Why is this important?

The Warren County Library Commission must end its promotion of BookLooks.org, an anonymous website designed to target books with diverse viewpoints, and any sites like it. Parents deserve credible resources from trained professionals, not unvetted sources. Endorsing BookLooks and similar websites compromises our library's integrity and parents' right to reliable information about books for their children.

Our libraries already provide credible reviews through databases like NoveList and resources like Kirkus Reviews. Sites like BookLooks require no professional credentials, have no named reviewers, and follow no editorial standard. Its anonymous members routinely flag important literary works, especially those covering topics of sexuality, race, religion, or history, as controversial or objectionable. At multiple public meetings, dozens of community members objected to BookLooks and similar sites, but the Library Commission ignored concerned taxpayers and pushed forward despite overwhelming opposition.

Sign this petition if you believe Warren County Public Libraries should remove BookLooks.org from its list of endorsed resources for patrons and recommend only vetted, transparent book review websites.
Warren County, NJ, USA

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Updates

2025-03-01 14:38:14 -0500

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/