Jersey City Free Public Library Partners With Police For Books & Badges

The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Jersey City Police Department for Books & Badges, a four-part community reading and discussion series. The program brings together Jersey City residents, teens ages 15 and older, library staff, and law enforcement professionals for thoughtful, book-centered conversations. Through guided discussions, participants will explore themes including leadership, trust, identity, communication, public service, belonging, and community connection.

This discussion series is designed to foster meaningful dialogue on issues affecting residents’ daily lives by creating common ground that connects residents with the police officers they see in their neighborhoods every day.  By collaborating on Books & Badges we want to create a respectful space where community members can listen to one another, ask thoughtful questions, and gain new perspectives. Conversations will be facilitated by Lt. C.M. Congleton of the Jersey City Police Department and Tony Williams, MSW, manager of JCFPL Social Services.

According to Lt. Congleton, the program is rooted in the belief that books can serve as a starting point for important conversations between law enforcement and the community. “We may have some difficult conversations, and that’s OK.  In some cases, they’re long overdue,” said Lt. Congleton, who developed the new JCPD program.  “Books and Badges is about creating opportunities for our officers and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and better understand one another’s perspectives.  Through these open and honest conversations, we’re facilitating, we can work together to identify actionable steps that strengthen trust and improve police-community relationships.”

“Building a safer community takes more than policing alone. Our residents are among our most important public safety partners, but that depends on the level of trust and strong relationships established between the community and our police officers,” said Mayor James Solomon. “Books & Badges is a unique platform to bring residents and officers together for conversations centered around some difficult issues and how we can address them. It is another important addition in our efforts toward strengthening police-community relationships.”

Jersey City Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose emphasized the importance of creating spaces where residents and officers can engage in meaningful conversations and learn from one another’s experiences. “Strong relationships between police officers and the communities they serve are built through open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen,” said Director Ambrose. “Books and Badges will give residents and officers an opportunity to learn from one another, better understand different perspectives, and build much-needed trust. Those stronger connections will help our officers serve the community more effectively while ensuring residents feel heard, respected, and engaged.”

The Books & Badges series will take place across the Jersey City Free Public Library system beginning today, Wednesday, September 23, at Miller Branch Library from 5:00–6:00 p.m.

The full schedule includes:

• Miller Branch — Wednesday, September 23, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
• Earl A. Morgan Branch — Wednesday, October 28, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
• Communipaw Branch — Tuesday, November 17, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
• Priscilla Gardner Main Library — Thursday, December 17, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Jersey City Free Public Library has compiled a recommended reading list for participants to explore before attending any Books & Badges discussion. These titles examine themes such as race, policing, communication, institutional change, public service, and community engagement, helping to provide context and inspire meaningful conversation throughout the series.

Recommended Books:

• About Face — David H. Hackworth
• The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt
• Birmingham’s First Black in Blue — Leroy Stover
• The Constitution of the United States of America — United States
• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High — Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler & Emily Gregory
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts — Brené Brown
• The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win — Jocko Willink
• Emotional Intelligence — Daniel Goleman
• Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win — Jocko Willink
• How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie
• The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence — Gavin de Becker
• Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t — Simon Sinek
• The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations — James M. Kouzes
• Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life — Patrick Van Horne
• Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times — Donald T. Phillips
• Logical Investigative Methods: Critical Thinking and Reasoning for Successful Investigations — Robert J. Girod
• The New Centurions — Joseph Wambaugh
• The Onion Field — Joseph Wambaugh
• The Profession: A Memoir of Policing in America — Bill Bratton
• Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator — Gary Noesner
• Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action — Simon Sinek
• Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging — Sebastian Junger
• Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders — L. David Marquet

Tony Williams, Manager of Social Services at the Jersey City Free Public Library, explained that Books & Badges was developed to use literature as a bridge for dialogue, reflection, and community connection. “The idea for Books & Badges grew from a simple belief: books can give us a meaningful place to begin conversations that might otherwise feel difficult to have. Too often, community members and law enforcement encounter one another only during challenging moments, so I wanted to create an opportunity for people to sit together, listen, and learn from one another. I hope this series helps build greater understanding—not by expecting everyone to agree, but by making room for honest and respectful dialogue. As a public library, our mission extends beyond providing books and information; we are also a trusted space where people can connect, examine different perspectives, and strengthen their community. Ultimately, Books & Badges is about building trust one conversation at a time.”

Through Books & Badges, the Jersey City Free Public Library and the Jersey City Police Department hope to create opportunities for learning, reflection, and connection. By bringing residents and law enforcement together for honest conversations, the series aims to foster greater understanding, strengthen relationships, and build a more connected Jersey City community.