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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Public Library is joining a nationwide initiative to tackle censorship and provide young adults and teenagers free access to the library's digital collection.
BPL is just the third in the country to join the Brooklyn Public Library's Books Unbanned initiative along with Seattle Public Library.
"As we head into Banned Books Week, an annual event that highlights the value of free and open access to information, we are proud to stand with the Brooklyn Public Library and Seattle Public Library to uphold intellectual freedom and the right to read,” said BPL President David Leonard. “By joining this initiative, we embrace the opportunity to champion the principle of access for individuals across the nation who face limitations in reaching content and are unable to advocate for themselves.”
According to the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom, there has been a 20 percent rise in the censorship of library books and resources in 2023 alone.
“Since we launched Books Unbanned in April of 2022, we have heard from thousands of young people across the country who are witnessing the very demise of democracy as books rejected by a few loud voices are removed from the shelves for all,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “We are excited to welcome Boston Public Library to Books Unbanned. Together, with our partners in Seattle, we will ensure that every young person in the nation has free and open access to books from all points of view.”
Anyone between the ages of 13 to 26 can sign up for a eCard from the Library, free of charge. The card gives it's user full access to BPL's digital collection of books and audiobooks.
This weekend, the BPL is hosting 'Let Freedom Read: Statewide Read-In to Fight Censorship.' The event will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Central Library in Copley Square.
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