The Brooklyn Public Library Expands Access to Every American Teen Amid Censorship Concerns

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Recently, adults have shown unprecedented interest in the reading choices of American teenagers. The increasing incidents of book banning highlight the alarming levels of homophobia, racism, and ignorance present in various governing institutions across the nation. Fortunately for young readers—and the future of our society—librarians are stepping up to the challenge. According to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were “729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021,” targeting 1,597 titles, marking the highest number recorded in two decades. Notable works such as Maus and The Bluest Eye were among the targeted titles, with a worrying trend evident: books featuring LGBTQ+ narratives and BIPOC protagonists were frequently challenged. Of the ALA’s top ten challenged books of 2021, half contained queer themes, while many others, like Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give and Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, are told from the perspectives of nonwhite or non-Christian characters.

What these books also share is their exceptional quality. These are the kinds of stories that can captivate even reluctant readers, the ones that teachers and librarians yearn to keep in their collections. They foster empathy and can truly transform lives. Yet, some conservative figures continue to push for their removal. For every outrageous act of censorship that gains media attention, countless others go unnoticed. The ALA notes that its list of banned titles represents just a fraction of the total: “surveys indicate that 82-97% of book challenges—documented requests to remove materials from schools or libraries—remain unreported and go without media coverage,” according to their Office for Intellectual Freedom.

So, what can open-minded, inquisitive teen readers do until they reach college or explore the big city? The Brooklyn Public Library has a solution. Through their Books Unbanned initiative, any U.S. resident aged 13-21 can apply for a free e-card, granting them access to 350,000 ebooks and 200,000 audiobooks, including many titles that are being removed from other libraries. Interested teens can simply reach out to the library.

Additionally, the library offers other creative ways to combat censorship. Through their Brooklyn Bookmatch program, young readers can receive personalized book recommendations from their peers, and local NYC teens can join the Intellectual Freedom Teen Council, where they can learn about these issues and advocate for the freedom to read. Readers of all ages can also explore frequently challenged titles on the Books Unbanned list.

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Summary: The Brooklyn Public Library has launched the Books Unbanned program, providing free access to a vast collection of ebooks and audiobooks for U.S. teens aged 13-21 in response to increasing censorship and book bans. This initiative aims to empower young readers and promote diverse literature.