Books Unbanned

Books Unbanned is a United States library program that issues library cards that give electronic access to the library's digital and audio collections. Run by the Brooklyn Public Library, it was initiated in reaction to a wave of book challenges against schools and libraries in 2021.

History

Efforts to censor teenage access to books in the United States swelled in 2021 after a video of a parent at a Fairfax County School Board meeting demanding removal of the graphic novel Gender Queer from the high school library went viral.[1] Afterward, libraries and classrooms across the US became targets of coordinated campaigns frequently led or funded by right-wing activists.[2][3][4][5]

In April 2022, the BPL introduced the Books Unbanned project in response to the movement, offering free Brooklyn Public Library ecards to teens and young adults aged 13 to 21 anywhere in the US.[2] Teens apply to get an ecard through email or the library-run Instagram account.[6][7][8][9] By January 2023, 6,000 teenagers had requested cards through the Books Unbanned program and 52,000 books had been checked out.[10]

Impact

In August 2022, a teacher in Oklahoma was put on administrative leave after posting the QR code for Books Unbanned in her classroom.[11][12] The Oklahoma Secretary of Education called to have her teaching license revoked.[11] The teacher subsequently resigned and, several months later, accepted a job with the Brooklyn Public Library.[10]

Awards

In 2023 the Books Unbanned team was recognized as Librarians of the Year by Library Journal.[2]

References
  1. Mencimer, Stephanie. "How one mom launched a porn panic that helped the GOP take Virginia". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  2. Peet, Lisa. "Unbanning Books: LJ's 2023 Librarians of the Year". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  3. Rahman, Khaleda (2022-11-03). "Moms for Liberty banned book list—The novels they want taken out of schools". Newsweek. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  4. Harris, Elizabeth A.; Alter, Alexandra (2022-12-12). "A Fast-Growing Network of Conservative Groups Is Fueling a Surge in Book Bans". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  5. "'A streak of extremism': US book bans may increase in 2023". the Guardian. 2022-12-24. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  6. "Books Unbanned". www.bklynlibrary.org. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  7. "Brooklyn Public Library's "Books Unbanned" program aims to provide young people with access to censored literature". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  8. "Brooklyn Public Library Now Offers Free Access to Banned Books for Young People Nationwide". Seventeen. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  9. Brooklyn Public Library (April 14, 2022). "BKLYN Teens on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  10. Barron, James (2023-01-04). "Brooklyn Library's 'Books Unbanned' Team Wins Accolade". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  11. Martinez-Keel, Nuria. "This Oklahoma teacher helped students get banned books. An official wants her license revoked". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  12. Newsource, C. N. N. (2022-08-24). "An Oklahoma teacher says she resigned over a state law requiring teachers to censor books in classroom libraries". KION546. Retrieved 2023-01-05.

Books Unbanned, Brooklyn Public Library

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