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.
CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM TO READ FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
- Discover ways to engage even the youngest readers in conversations about access, intellectual freedom, and the joy of reading. Join a Freedom to Read Storytime, explore a banned book, and download our Freedom to Read Toolkit for Children and Families. Together, we can stand up for the Freedom to Read!
- Freedom to Read Toolkit for Kids and Families (Download the PDF)
- Printable Freedom to Read Activity Pages:
- Check out our Banned Booklists for Kids:
- Find a Freedom to Read Storytime at a library near you
- Educators and Librarians! Host your own Freedom to Read Storytime using this guide.
Upcoming Events
Exhibition Opening with Christopher Myers and Jacqueline Woodson
GRAND LOBBY
BPL Presents welcomes you to the opening of the exhibition Christopher Myers: Unbound, featuring a conversation with two award-winning powerhouses: visual artist/author Christopher Myers and author Jacqueline Woodson.
Myers’ new works set loose the pages of…
