Teens in All 50 States Have Checked Out 330,000 Books Since Initiative Began
Video Here (Credit: Hannah Cadenazzi.)
Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library marked three years of Books Unbanned today, a national program to combat censorship. The initiative provides teens an e-card allowing them to access the Library’s entire digital collection of approximately half a million items.
Since April 2022, almost 10,000 young people, ages 13 to 21, in all 50 states have applied for the card. Books Unbanned card holders have checked out more than 330,000 books.
The program—which has expanded to Boston, Seattle, LA County and San Diego Public Libraries—was designed to combat an alarming rise in censorship since 2020. The American Library Association (ALA) reports books for teens—especially those that include LGBTQIA+ characters or cover topics related to race and equity—are most frequently targeted.
“The right to access information from all points of view is a fundamental democratic principle on which both our nation and public libraries were founded,” said Chief Librarian Nick Higgins. “During National Library Week, we must not forget communities across the country who are witnessing the removal of books—and along with them, the history and the stories of entire communities including people of color and those who identify as LGBQT. At our Read-In today—and every day of the year—Brooklyn Public Library stands firmly for free expression, intellectual freedom and the right to read.”
The ALA reported 821 challenges this year but notes censorship is often subtle and therefore under reported. For example, library staff may be prevented from purchasing certain books or required to place them out of reach in an adult-only section.
In many jurisdictions, censorship is legislated. Book Riot reports in Utah, for example, 17 books have been banned from all public schools. The law states no students can even carry these books on school grounds, even if they own the book themselves.
The impact on young people is profound. “As I went through four years of high school, I witnessed the destruction of our library. We went from a small, but full library, only halved every year until ultimately it was removed due to ‘lack of interest.’ Not only did I lose a vital educational source, but a place of comfort,” said a 17-year-old living in Kansas.
Librarians are also under fire with bills in several states proposing to fire, fine or jail librarians for distributing so-called obscene material.
Brooklyn Public Library was founded on the promise of access to all books and knowledge without judgement. At the Read-In, patrons were encouraged to read banned books, learn about censorship, and send a note of support to libraries who are experiencing book bans.
Brooklyn Public Library proudly defends books we agree with and those we do not with equal fervor. To apply for a Books Unbanned card young people, ages 13 to 21, can email: booksunbanned@bklynlibrary.org
Teens who live in Brooklyn can get involved by joining the Library’s Teen Intellectual Freedom Meet Ups to connect with teens across the country to recommend books, support one another and learn more about how to fight back. The Library’s Peabody-nominated podcast, Borrowed and Banned, is available here or wherever you get your podcasts. To support Books Unbanned, click here.
Books Unbanned is generously supported by The Destina Foundation, Ford Foundation, Harold and Colene Brown Family Foundation, Shawn Carter Foundation, Long Ridge Foundation, Alissa and Will Malnati, Elizabeth Foundation, Alan and Linda Kahn Foundation, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, Kerry Washington, Diane and Joseph Steinberg, Andrea Zaldivar and Michael Festa, Stacee Halsenbalg, Michael and Deborah Ratner Salzberg Family Foundation, Reparations Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and many generous individuals.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.