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CHICAGO – Acting upon a resolution submitted by the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) formally commended North Hunterdon-Voorhees (NHV) Intellectual Freedom Fighters (NHVIFF). The program is one of eleven outstanding programs, events, and products nominated by AASL Chapters for their support of the school librarian profession and the learners the profession serves.

“The North Hunterdon/Voorhees Intellectual Freedom Fighters have been advocating for students' right to read in response to multiple book challenges,” said Beth Thomas of NJASL. “All of the books that have been challenged reflect the LGBTQIA+ experience. In speaking out about these challenges, the NHVIFF have not only fought for the freedom to read, they have fought for NHV's LGBTQIA+ students.”

“The Freedom Fighters provided support to maintain five challenged books in the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Library and their work supports AASL’s core value that intellectual freedom is the right of every learner,” said AASL President Kathy Lester. “Congratulations to the NHV Intellectual Freedom Fighters. Their efforts provide an example for other community groups to support learner’s right to read.”

To be considered, programs must align with the principles expressed in the national association's mission and value statements. The full list can be found at .

The  provide a channel of communication between AASL-affiliated school library organizations and the AASL Board of Directors. An AASL Chapter nominates outstanding programs, events, and products for official AASL commendations, which are then reviewed and approved by the AASL Board of Directors for national recognition.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.