Books Unbanned

FREE Digital Access to Books and Resources for Teens Nationwide 

Books Unbanned is a national initiative founded by Brooklyn Public Library in 2022, inspired by the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement and Library Bill of Rights. The program exists to defend teens’ right to access information, stories, and ideas—without censorship. 

A Books Unbanned library card gives teens across the United States free digital access to ebooks and digital resources, including banned and challenged books—no matter where they live. Books Unbanned helps ensure teens can read what they like, explore new ideas and form their own opinions. 

This is a free digital library card for U.S. teens, created to protect the freedom to read in the face of growing book censorship. 

Apply for a BPL Books Unbanned library card, for youth ages 13-21.

What the Books Unbanned Library Card Includes 

Partner libraries nationwide provide free digital library cards that allow teens to: 

• Access ebooks and audiobooks online 
• Explore diverse perspectives and voices 
• Read privately, safely and without restriction 

The following libraries have joined Books Unbanned as crucial partners in defending and expanding the freedom to read.

• Boston Public Library
• LA County Library
• Long Beach Public Library
• San Diego Public Library
• Seattle Public Library

Visit the Books Unbanned coalition website to apply for each card, access resources for teens, librarians and teachers, and learn how to get involved.

According to data collected by the American Library Association (ALA), the majority of the book ban attempts in 2024 originated from pressure groups rather than from parents or individual library users, with elected officials, board members and administrators initiating 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. 

As coordinated partisan attempts at censorship continues to grow, ALA has shared concerns about an increase in "censorship by exclusion," or the decision of libraries not to purchase certain books in the first place, due to a climate of fear and/or other legislative restrictions.

The most targeted books are for a teen audience and contain LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; or cover topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.

Across the country, teens continue to face book bans, censorship, and political challenges in their local school and public libraries. Stay up to date by signing up for our newsletter.
 

Here are just some of the ways young adults can get support from BPL:

Get a Card

A library card is a fundamental tool to celebrate the Freedom to Read! Find out how you can get access to Brooklyn Public Library through a local or out-of-state eCard through Books Unbanned.

Apply today

Get Involved

There are many ways to support the right to read. Access resources like petitions, talking points, and ways to stay up to date on the latest Intellectual Freedom News.

Access resources

Request a BookMatch

BookMatch Teen offers book recommendations for teens, by teens. Complete the form and a Teen BookMatcher will create a reading list just for you.

Get Matched

Report a Challenge

If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your right to free and open access 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

Borrowed and Banned

BPL's 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