Words Per Mile

A few months ago, I wrote a post on the issue of book banning in the U.S. Well, I’ve recently become aware of a resource that I didn’t know about at the time, that I’d now like to share.

Books Unbanned is a program by the Brooklyn Library that aims to help readers–primarily teens–access a wide variety of reading materials, with a special focus (from what I gather from their site) on titles that have been banned in an attempt to harm or silence minority groups.

From the program’s website:

“The American Library Association reported 729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2021, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. This represents the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling these lists 20 years ago. Most targeted books were for a teen audience and were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons.”

Brooklyn Public Library, Books Unbanned

In addition to challenging book bans and providing access to titles, the program helps match teens looking for book recommendations with peers who can provide them, which seems like a great opportunity for those who don’t have a lot of access to diverse perspectives to connect with and learn from those who do.

Other informative links on the website include on to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which makes statements such as: “Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation,” “Libraries should challenge censorship,” and “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.”

From my understanding, this is a fairly new program, and I’m hoping it takes off and sticks around. Access to education and to a variety of viewpoints has proven time and time again to be great for the individual and society as a whole.

(Also, between now and April 4, donations made on the Brooklyn Library’s website will be matched by trustees, for those who wish to make a financial contribution to the program.)

Keep reading,

Callie

Sources:

American Library Association. (1939, June). Library Bill of Rights. American Library Association. Retrieved March 2023 from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

American Library Association. (2022, April). National Library Week kicks off with State of America’s Libraries Report, annual ‘Top 10 Most Challenged Books’ list and a new campaign to fight book bans. American Library Association. Retrieved March 2023 from https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/04/national-library-week-kicks-state-america-s-libraries-report-annual-top-10

Brooklyn Public Library. (n.d.). Books Unbanned. Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved March 2023 from https://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned

Marsalisi, C. A. (2022, September). Let Librarians Do Their Jobs. Words Per Mile. Retrieved March 2023 from https://words-per-mile.com/2022/09/13/let-librarians-do-their-jobs/