Take a Stand Against Book Bans
Censorship affects everyone, everywhere. Take a stand and get involved in the fight for intellectual freedom! Below find resources like petitions, talking points, and ways to speak up for the freedom to read.
✨ Teens: join our virtual monthly Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetups where you can hear from authors, artists, and other teens interested in fighting back against censorship✨
- Get a library card! All New York State residents can get a Brooklyn Public Library card
- If you are a teen living outside of New York you can apply for the Books Unbanned Card
- Read the books you want
- Read the books they are trying to ban
- No time to read the whole book?
Check out Book Resumes for details on recently banned and challenged books
- Check out the latest data on book bans and censorship
- Sign up for newsletters and news alerts
Read "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.
- Be prepared to vote for your values on election day
- Show up for Libraries
- Attend a city council, school board, or library board meeting - get tips here!
- Sign a pledge, petition, or campaign
- EveryLibrary's collection of petitions
- United Against Book Bans Freedom to Read Statement
- Librarians, lead a Freedom to Read Storytime! Download the how-to guide here.
Upcoming Events
Free Book Giveaway: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Stop by Midwood Library to pick up a free copy of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the definitive edition. Teen and children priority, one per person, while supplies last!
Books are being given in collaboration with Anne Frank, The Exhibition, running through October 31st, 2025…
Free Book Giveaway: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Stop by Midwood Library to pick up a free copy of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the definitive edition. Teen and children priority, one per person, while supplies last!
Books are being given in collaboration with Anne Frank, The Exhibition, running through October 31st, 2025…
Free Book Giveaway: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Stop by Midwood Library to pick up a free copy of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the definitive edition. Teen and children priority, one per person, while supplies last!
Books are being given in collaboration with Anne Frank, The Exhibition, running through October 31st, 2025…
Free Book Giveaway: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Stop by Midwood Library to pick up a free copy of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the definitive edition. Teen and children priority, one per person, while supplies last!
Books are being given in collaboration with Anne Frank, The Exhibition, running through October 31st, 2025…
Adulting is Hard: Graphic Novel Book Club
Greetings, Graphic Novel Crew! AiHGNBC is back from summer vacation! We'll be continuing the 2nd Saturday of every month, starting at 4pm, roughly 1 hour after the branch closes to the public so REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Whether you only read Graphic Novels or haven't picked up…
Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetup
Join us to discuss intellectual freedom issues, your favorite books, and all things BPL's Books Unbanned initiative. Connect with peers across the country and learn how you can support youth in protecting the right to read whatever they choose.
Please register by 4 pm EST to receive a…
Antiracist Family Day - Brooklyn Children's Museum
A Free Family Event Celebrating Diversity, Justice, and Community
Brooklyn Public Library presents the fifth annual Antiracist Family Day, a free family event on the Brooklyn Children's Museum rooftop. Participants will learn about age-appropriate antiracist practices, including…
Adulting is Hard: Graphic Novel Book Club
Greetings, Graphic Novel Crew! AiHGNBC is back this Fall! We'll be continuing the 2nd Saturday of every month, starting at 4pm, roughly 1 hour after the branch closes to the public so REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Whether you only read Graphic Novels or haven't picked up a comic…
Adulting is Hard: Graphic Novel Book Club
Greetings, Graphic Novel Crew! AiHGNBC is back this fall! We'll be continuing the 2nd Saturday of every month, starting at 4pm, roughly 1 hour after the branch closes to the public so REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Whether you only read Graphic Novels or haven't picked up a comic…
Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetup
Join us to discuss intellectual freedom issues, your favorite books, and all things BPL's Books Unbanned initiative. Connect with peers across the country and learn how you can support youth in protecting the right to read whatever they choose.
Please register by 4 pm EST to receive a…