Brooklyn Public Library joins 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, BPL's Books Unbanned initiative is a response to an increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove books tackling a wide range of topics from library shelves.
BPL is proud to celebrate the following libraries have joined Books Unbanned as crucial partners in defending and expanding the freedom to read.
The American Library Association (ALA) documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. ALA recently released preliminary 2023 data showing that censorship attempts are increasingly moving to public libraries. Most targeted books are for a teen audience and are by or about Black 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 new 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.
Listen now
Get Involved
BPL's Intellectual Freedom Teen Council is a virtual space where teens from across the country can connect with a peer-support network and discuss book challenges, censorship, and intellectual freedom.
Learn more
Request a BookMatch
BookMatch Teen offers book recommendations for teens, by teens. Complete the form and a BookMatch Teen member will create a reading list of five titles just for you.
Get Matched
Report a Challenge
If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials by contacting the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Get Involved
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!
Get Reading
Related Events
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.
National Teen BPL eCard
We invite individuals ages 13-21 to apply for a free BPL eCard, providing access to our full eBook collection as well as our learning databases. To apply, email [email protected].
BPL’s eCard is always free to teenagers in New York State. Apply here.
Teens: Share your story!
Help us document the story of bans and bullying and highlight the resilience of teens, parents and educators fighting back for the freedom to read.
Submit your story, here.
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!
- Youth Censorship Database: NCAC tracks book challenges in schools and libraries, as well as censorship of art, journalism, and other types of student expression in schools.
- 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.
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