Books for All: Protect the Freedom to Read in Your Community
We’re proud to partner with The New York Public Library (NYPL) to invite libraries, school groups, and readers across the country to get involved in learning about and discussing some of the books that are being banned or challenged across the U.S., as well as exploring positive ways to take action.
In 2023, book banning and censorship reached an all-time high, with a record 4,240 unique book titles targeted for removal. Nearly half of the books targeted for censorship were titles representing the voices and lived experiences of people of color and people who identify as LGBTQ+. Coordinated censorship attempts continue to happen at an alarming rate, impacting schools and public libraries nationwide and threatening the rights of all Americans.
That's why we are coming together to take a stand against book bans.
In response to this unprecedented surge in censorship, The New York Public Library is providing opportunities for teens across the country to exercise the freedom to read with an array of offerings:
In response to this unprecedented surge in censorship, The New York Public Library is providing opportunities for teens across the country to exercise the freedom to read with an array of offerings:
Teen Banned Book Club: The New York Public Library's Teen Banned Book Club offers opportunities for teens across the country to engage with young adult titles that have been the subject of bans or challenges including a free discussion guide and virtual book club event with the author of each featured title. NYPL has negotiated a special purchase option for all of this year's Banned Book Club selections: Flamer by Mike Curato (book club will run through November 2024); Run by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, and Nate Powell (book club will run January and February 2025); Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann (book club will run March and April 2025); and The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen (book club will run May and June 2025). Librarians should contact the sales representative at their distributor.
National Teen Art Contest: In fall 2024, taking inspiration from the graphic novel theme of the Banned Book Club, NYPL is holding a national teen art contest that asks teens to represent what the power of reading and the freedom to read mean to them through visual art using the medium of their choice. The grand prize winner will win $500 and there are an additional 20 prizes of $250. All winners will also be published in a special edition of NYPL's Teen Voices magazine and the winning entry will be exhibited at one of NYPL's midtown locations. Deadline for entries: Friday, December 6, 2024.
Free Toolkit: To help you promote Books for All in your community, NYPL offers a free toolkit and resources to promote the Banned Book Club titles, art contest, and other ways to get your community involved. Download and print flyers, discussion guides, button templates, photo props, a handy one-pager about how to get involved, and more.
Mark your calendars! October 19, 2024: Freedom to Read Day of Action
As part of our Unite Against Book Bans initiative, we’re teaming up with New York City public libraries and the Association of Small and Rural Libraries for a nationwide day of action in support of the freedom to read. Learn more and find an event near you.
Thanks for helping us to protect the freedom to read!
