The City of Hoboken received the Library Champion award, with the director named Librarian of the Year, by the New Jersey Library Association.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am honored to be the first from Hudson County to be named Librarian of the Year by the New Jersey Library Association and could not have done this without the support of an incredible library board and strong city leaders,” Library Director Jennie Pu, the NJLA 2024 Librarian of the Year, said in a statement.
“This award rightfully belongs to the dedicated and talented Hoboken Public Library team who faithfully serve all members of our community day in, day out.”
Pu is the first recipient from Hudson County to receive the accolade, with the Hoboken Library Board of Trustees nabbing the Trustee Service Award.
The city earned the award following the unanimous adoption of a resolution declaring the municipality a “book sanctuary city” in September 2023.
“Being recognized as a Library Champion is a testament to Hoboken’s commitment to fostering a culture of learning and inclusivity,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“Jennie Pu’s leadership has been instrumental in making our public library a beacon of knowledge and a sanctuary for diverse voices. This honor underscores the hard work and dedication of Jennie and the entire Hoboken Public Library team, and I offer them my sincere congratulations!”
Pu, who has been the director of the Hoboken Public Library since 2021, has revitalized the Hoboken Public Library, enhancing its profile both locally and nationally.
She has implemented several community-focused initiatives, including pop-up libraries in schools and the installation of book lockers in collaboration with the Hoboken Historical Museum.
Under her guidance, Hoboken’s first makerspace was incorporated within the sustainably restored Hoboken Main Library.
“I am proud to have attended this year’s New Jersey Library Association Awards Ceremony to receive the Champion Award on behalf of the City of Hoboken for being the first municipality in the state to declare itself a Book Sanctuary City,” added Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, who sponsored the book sanctuary resolution.
“Since Mayor Bhalla signed an Executive Order declaring Hoboken a Fair and Welcoming City in 2017, this declaration is an extension of these values to ensure that no book will be banned or censored; in fact, our community celebrates diverse voices and stories to continue to enforce the message that we are a welcoming and inclusive community. Thank you to Hoboken Public Library Director Jennie Pu and the Hoboken Public Library Board of Trustees for being diligent stewards of these values.”
Pu’s contributions to the field of librarianship and her advocacy for the right to read have earned her the American Library Association’s 2024 Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession.
“I’m so proud of all the hard work the Library has done to ensure it is a welcoming place for everyone. It is indeed a sanctuary in every sense of the word,” noted Library Board President Jerome Abernathy.
We all know the code: “a sanctuary for diverse voices” here means an award for child grooming materials which were promoted by the freaks running the library with Ravi.
Ravi is behind it but do you think his children are getting indoctrinated with cartoon “books” teaching boys how to perform oral sex on their elders? That’s what they promoted!
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