Get Involved with Books Unbanned

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✨

READ

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
- Check out our booklists for inspiration
Read the books they are trying to ban
- Our banned book lists
- ALA's Top Ten Most Challenged Books
No time to read the whole book?
- Check out Book Resumes for details on recently banned and challenged books

GET INFORMED

Check out the latest data on book bans and censorship
Sign up for newsletters and news alerts
- Literary Activism
- Intellectual Freedom News
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.

SPEAK UP

TAKE ACTION

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

Upcoming Events

Teen Time: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Mon, Jun 30 4:00pm

Brooklyn Heights Library

banned books book club book discussion

Join us for a conversation about the classic allegorical novel about ANOTHER (sadly) relevant dystopian novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell. Learn about the today's increasing censorship and what you can do about it. No need to have read the book! We will discuss the plot and…

Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetup

Tue, Aug 19 6:00pm

Central Library

banned books teen time

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…