Libraries and the professionals who bring them to life play a critical role in the New Jersey Center for the Book’s efforts to celebrate books, reading, and the diverse literary heritage of New Jersey. Libraries of all types (public, school, academic and special) have a long and distinguished history of protecting and promoting intellectual freedom as a hallmark of our culture. As educators and trained professionals, librarians, school media specialists and teachers champion the important role of reading and love of books through creative programming and the development of recommended resources guides for further study and teaching.