Court Rules Library Cannot Bar Homeless

Libraries may not bar homeless people just because they loiter or have body odor, because such a ban violates their First Amendment rights, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge H. Lee Sarokin found the restrictions at the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township unconstitutional, saying they were overly broad and curtailed access to books, newspapers and other library materials.

“If we wish to shield our eyes and noses from the homeless, we should revoke their condition, not their library cards,” the judge said in his ruling.