Take a Stand Against Book Bans
Censorship affects everyone, everywhere. Take a stand and get involved in the fight for intellectual freedom! Below find resources like petitions, talking points, and ways to speak up for the freedom to read.
✨ Teens: join our virtual monthly Intellectual Freedom Teen Meetups where you can hear from authors, artists, and other teens interested in fighting back against censorship✨
- Get a library card! All New York State residents can get a Brooklyn Public Library card
- If you are a teen living outside of New York you can apply for the Books Unbanned Card
- Read the books you want
- Read the books they are trying to ban
- No time to read the whole book?
Check out Book Resumes for details on recently banned and challenged books
- Check out the latest data on book bans and censorship
- Sign up for newsletters and news alerts
Read "In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned", published in April 2024, details the impact of censorship on young people across the United States, using the voices of teens and young readers.
- Be prepared to vote for your values on election day
- Show up for Libraries
- Attend a city council, school board, or library board meeting - get tips here!
- Sign a pledge, petition, or campaign
- EveryLibrary's collection of petitions
- United Against Book Bans Freedom to Read Statement
- Librarians, lead a Freedom to Read Storytime! Download the how-to guide here.
CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM TO READ FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
- Discover ways to engage even the youngest readers in conversations about access, intellectual freedom, and the joy of reading. Join a Freedom to Read Storytime, explore a banned book, and download our Freedom to Read Toolkit for Children and Families. Together, we can stand up for the Freedom to Read!
- Freedom to Read Toolkit for Kids and Families (Download the PDF)
- Printable Freedom to Read Activity Pages:
- Check out our Banned Booklists for Kids:
- Find a Freedom to Read Storytime at a library near you
- Educators and Librarians! Host your own Freedom to Read Storytime using this guide.