📚 A ‘book sanctuary’ in South Jersey | Morning Newsletter

Happy Monday, Philly. This week is forecast to be much clearer than last, with sunny skies and high temps in the mid-80s expected for the next few days.

Today, we have the story of a Moorestown library that has become the first “book sanctuary” in South Jersey. The designation aims to make a statement decrying censorship in response to increasing nationwide attempts at book bans.

And real estate speculators have fueled a nightmare for Kensington residents — and could soon turn a profit as the neighborhood faces change. Read on for these stories and more.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

At the Moorestown Public Library, visitors will find a shelf displaying the dystopian novel The Giver, the picture book I Am Jazz, and Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl — disparate titles that are frequently the subject of book bans across the U.S.

📚 Book banning efforts increased by 65% from 2022 to 2023, and often target books about race, racism, gender, or sexuality. In response, the Burlington County library’s board of trustees unanimously passed a resolution last month declaring Moorestown a book sanctuary.

📚 The vote makes it one of about three dozen such institutions statewide. While there have not been any recent book challenges in Moorestown, its staff aim to make it clear that at their library, censorship won’t stand.

📚 “This is a town that reads a lot and really values their library and their right to read,” Moorestown’s library director told The Inquirer. “This is our way of saying, ‘We’ve got your back.’”

Reporter Melanie Burney spoke to Jersey library leaders about their mission to keep books in readers’ hands.

Real estate speculators buy properties in the hope of turning a profit as values appreciate. In Kensington, many of these properties have been left vacant and unsecured, and eventually become home to drug sales and violence.

Investors’ inaction has contributed to a quality-of-life crisis for neighborhood residents for decades. Yet they have faced little accountability from City Hall.

Now, they stand to profit as the Parker administration tries to clean up the open-air drug market.

Reporters Samantha Melamed, Max Marin, and Dylan Purcell investigate.

Which iconic Shore attraction will undergo a $500,000 interior makeover?

A) Cape May Lighthouse

B) Lucy the Elephant

C) Jenkinson’s Aquarium

D) The Jersey Shore house

Think you know? Check your answer.

😱 Naming: All of M. Night Shyamalan’s movies, via this fun quiz.

🗝️ Visiting: These thrift and antique stores down the Shore.

🇮🇳 Planning: A visit to Unapologetic Foods’ forthcoming Indian bar-restaurant in Fishtown.

The 1990 nonfiction book by Philly writer Buzz Bissinger that’s recently made its way into national political discourse.

ADRIFT NIGHTLY SIGH

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Aja Jones, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Auntie Anne’s. The mall pretzel maker with Pennsylvania roots launched a perfume that you “knead” to smell to believe.

🏈 As the NFL looks to reduce concussions and head injuries, it’s now allowing players to wear padded helmets called Guardian Caps during games. But will players actually wear them?

📬 Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Pitz Quattrone, who describes the origin of what could become a hometown anthem:

My dad was born and raised in South Philly, and I grew up in the Philly suburbs. My dad had season tickets to the Eagles from 1960 until he died in 2005. He started taking me to Eagles games when they still played at Franklin Field.

I moved out of state years ago and often think about my Philly roots. I always felt Philly deserved its own anthem that spoke from and to the heart of the city — one anthem for Philly folks everywhere! There’s “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John and “Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen — two great songs, but they don’t really express the city’s true soul.

Along with another Philly expat, Chris Robertson, we created the anthem that speaks to Philly folks everywhere and also describes the two things we miss the most about living in Philly: “Cheesesteaks & Tastykakes.” Where else could this happen? Only in Philly!

👋 Have a great start to your week. See you back here tomorrow.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.