Books Unbanned: From Local Action to National Movement
In 2022, as book challenges and censorship efforts began to surge across the United States, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) decided it could no longer stay on the sidelines. The staff had been watching news stories pile up about school districts and local governments removing books from shelves. These challenges often targeted works that explored race, gender identity, or sexuality. For BPL, the issue was about more than books. It was about access, equity, and the democratic principle that everyone should have the freedom to read and think for themselves.
That spring, the library launched Books Unbanned, a groundbreaking initiative that gives young people across the country free digital access to BPL’s entire e-book and e-audiobook collection. Any U.S. resident between the ages of 13 and 21 can apply for a free electronic library card, no matter where they live. What started as a local response to a national problem quickly became a movement that continues to grow.
The original goal of Books Unbanned was simple yet ambitious: provide access to books, especially for young readers who were being most directly affected by bans or restrictions. The idea resonated immediately. Today, more than 10,000 youth from all 50 states have joined BPL’s program, borrowing over 300,000 books since the initiative began. They have access to the entire digital collection, not just banned items.
Other library systems soon took notice. Boston Public Library, Los Angeles, San Diego County Library, Seattle Public Library and most recently, Long Beach Public Library have since launched their own versions of Books Unbanned, each with slightly different eligibility guidelines and collections. Together, these libraries have formed a coalition united by the belief that information access is fundamental to democracy. As Fritzi Bodenheimer, BPL’s senior press officer, explained, “The more points of access you have, the more difficult censorship becomes.” Each new library that joins adds another safeguard against censorship.
Beyond Banned Books
The impact of Books Unbanned goes well beyond the issue of censorship. Many of the stories shared by participants highlight the everyday barriers young people face when trying to access library materials. Some live in rural area or library deserts where the nearest branch is miles away. Others lack reliable transportation or supportive parents who are willing to take them. For some teens, safety is also a concern. One example of the type of stories they would frequently hear is if a teen wanted to check out a book with a rainbow on the cover. That could lead to serious trouble at home. As Bodenheimer emphasized, access is about meeting people where they are and recognizing that barriers come in many forms.
Feedback from teens has been overwhelmingly positive, and not just from the teens themselves. Teachers, parents, and coaches have also reached out to thank BPL for giving young people a space to explore freely. Many participants have written to express how much the initiative means to them. For some, it’s been the first time they’ve had independent access to a wide range of perspectives. For others, it’s offered a lifeline during moments of questioning or isolation.
While the library does not track users’ individual reading choices, many of the most frequently borrowed titles mirror the national list of banned books: stories about LGBTQ+ identities, racial injustice, or coming-of-age struggles that challenge traditional societal norms. The initiative reminds us that every book someone tries to ban is a story someone else desperately needs. But some of the most popular titles checked out has nothing to do with restrictions, its simply whats most popular. In fact, teens are checking out a very wide range of titles.
Funding, Sustainability and Thinking Big Picture
Bodenheimer shared that Books Unbanned operates without city funding. All of its support comes from private donors who believe in the library’s mission to protect intellectual freedom. This model has allowed BPL to maintain flexibility and independence, even as the political climate around book access continues to evolve. Keeping the program visible and sustainable, however, remains an ongoing challenge. Awareness efforts are key, as many older teens age out and a new generation becomes eligible.
Despite those challenges, BPL remains committed to maintaining and expanding the initiative. Every partnership, donation, and media story helps extend its reach.
For libraries considering whether to join the Books Unbanned movement, Bodenheimer’s advice is both pragmatic and inspiring. She acknowledges that not every system will be able to take it on. It requires staff time, funding, and institutional will. But for those who can, the benefits are profound. Books Unbanned is not only about preserving access to literature; it is about defending a democratic ideal. “In the United States, we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of thought,” Bodenheimer said. “Having access to books and information from all perspectives is fundamental.”
BPL’s approach and beliefs are rooted in a long-standing library ethos: we defend the books we love and the books we don’t with equal passion. True intellectual freedom means protecting even those ideas we may disagree with, so that every reader can decide for themselves what to think.
When access to knowledge is restricted, society loses its ability to think critically and compassionately. Programs like Books Unbanned push back one library card at a time. Three years after its launch, Books Unbanned has become both a symbol and a solution. It represents the library’s refusal to accept censorship as inevitable and its belief in the transformative power of reading.
Resources:
https://www.longbeach.gov/library
Tags: booksunbanned, brooklynpubliclibrary, freedomtoread, intellectual freedom
