Recognizing Two Years of Books Unbanned
In April 2022, Brooklyn Public Library joined those fighting for the rights of teens nationwide to read what they like, discover themselves, and form their own opinions. Inspired by the American Library Association's Freedom to Read Statement, Books Unbanned is a response to an increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove books from library shelves.
The following libraries have joined Books Unbanned as crucial partners in defending and expanding the freedom to read.
The American Library Association (ALA) documented efforts to censor 4,240 unique book titles in schools and libraries in 2023, a 65% increase from 2022 and the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. ALA's data shows that censorship attempts are increasingly moving to public libraries. Most targeted books are for a teen audience and are by or about BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ persons.
Across the country, teens continue to face rising attempts at book bans, censorship, and political challenges in their local school and public libraries.
Here are just some of the ways young adults can get support from BPL:
Borrowed and Banned
BPL's podcast mini-series tells the story of America's ideological war with its bookshelves. Hear from students on the frontlines, librarians and teachers who risk their careers by speaking up, and writers whose books have become a political battleground.
Get Involved
BPL's Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetups are a virtual space where teens from across the country can connect with peers and discuss book challenges, censorship, and intellectual freedom.
Request a BookMatch
BookMatch Teen offers book recommendations for teens, by teens. Complete the form and a Teen BookMatcher will create a reading list just for you.
Report a Challenge
If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your right to free and open access by contacting the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Use Your Library
Look for frequently challenged books at your local library, or check out our selection of eBook & audiobook titles, many of which are set to "Always Available" for BPL cardholders - no waiting for a copy!
Are you an adult who cares about teens' freedom to read? Donate today to help BPL provide teens nationwide with free and open access to our wide-ranging digital collections.
Upcoming Events
Teen Time : Book Lover's Group Online Book Club!
Book Lovers Group's Online!
Did you enjoy meeting online with our Goodreads Group this summer? Then...
Let's meet in person! This week's meeting will be a special Banned Booke Week edition! Share your favorite Banned Book! Spin to Win a free copy of a…
Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetup
At this special session hear from members of the Golden State Readers, a California based youth led organization who are committed to promoting the free access to books and combatting literary censorship.
You'll learn about their upcoming national Break the Tape campaign and how you…
BYOB "Bring Your Own Book" Quiet Reading Party
Did you know one of the most radical things you can do is read? Come celebrate the freedom to read with us for Banned Books Week! Bring any book you’d like to read silently in community and then engage in free conversation about literature, art, culture, community, censorship or whatever you…
BYOB "Bring Your Own Book" Quiet Reading Party
Did you know one of the most radical things you can do is read? Come celebrate the freedom to read with us for Banned Books Week! Bring any book you’d like to read silently in community and then engage in free conversation about literature, art, culture, community, censorship or whatever you…
Books Unbanned Storytime
As part of Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned initiative, we are celebrating every child’s freedom to read by sharing picture books that have been banned or challenged around the world.
This program is made possible through the generous funding of City’s First Readers, a New…
Equity and Access: A Celebration of Visibility in Children’s Literature
As a lead-in to Banned Books Week, Drag Story Hour NYC and Brooklyn Public Library are excited to welcome families to an inclusive event where participants will hear Drag Story Hour storytellers reading some of their favorite books, and engage in creative activities celebrating…
BYOB "Bring Your Own Book" Quiet Reading Party
Did you know one of the most radical things you can do is read? Come celebrate the freedom to read with us for Banned Books Week! Bring any book you’d like to read silently in community and then engage in free conversation about literature, art, culture, community, censorship or whatever you…
BYOB "Bring Your Own Book" Quiet Reading Party
Did you know one of the most radical things you can do is read? Come celebrate the freedom to read with us for Banned Books Week! Bring any book you’d like to read silently in community and then engage in free conversation about literature, art, culture, community, censorship or whatever you…
Banned Books Week: Letter Writing
This week is Banned Book Week, an annual event which highlights the value of free and open access to information. As part of this, we are offering a chance to write letters to politicians asking them to oppose attempts to ban books (and access to information in general). We will…
Banned Books Scavenger Hunt
Stop by the New Utrecht library for our banned books scavenger hunt. Fill out the card to completion and win a prize! This scavenger hunt is for teens ages 13+
Apply for a Teen eCard
We invite individuals ages 13-21 to apply for a free BPL eCard, providing access to our full eBook/audiobook collection as well as our learning databases. To apply, email booksunbanned@bklynlibrary.org.
BPL’s eCard is always free to teenagers in New York State. Apply here.
In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned
"In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned", published in April 2024, details the impact of censorship on young people across the United States, using the voices of teens and young readers. Drawing upon thousands of stories shared by Books Unbanned cardholders, the report documents the impacts of censorship and highlights the joy and escape found in the freedom to read.
Books Unbanned Media Kit
Want to spread the word in your community about Books Unbanned? Download our media kit, which includes a flier, printable sticker sheet, the official Books Unbanned artwork, Brooklyn Public Library's logo and a QR code.
Download the full kit, here.
Educate Yourself!
- Top 10 Most Challenged Books: ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles an annual list of the most challenged books.
- Library Bill of Rights: ALA affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that these basic policies should guide their services.
- BPL's Material Selection Policy: Learn more about how libraries like BPL make decisions about what gets on the shelves.
Get social with BKLYN Future
Books Unbanned is generously supported by Harold and Colene Brown Family Foundation, The Destina Foundation, Elizabeth Foundation, Stacee Halsenbalg, The Hilail Gildin Trust, Alan and Linda Kahn Foundation, Long Ridge Foundation, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, John Pritzker Family Fund, John Sperling Foundation, Michael and Deborah Ratner Salzberg Family Foundation, Reparations Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Shawn Carter Enterprises, Diane and Joseph Steinberg, Kerry Washington, Andrea Zaldivar and Michael Festa, and many generous individuals.