Celebrate the Freedom to Read With During Banned Books Week
release date: September 19, 2024
The Seattle Public Library is celebrating the freedom to read during Banned Books Week (Sept. 22 to 28) with programs, displays and an update on its Books Unbanned program, which offers free access to its collection of digital books to teens and young adults across the United States. All Library events are free and open to the public.
Launched in 1982 by the American Library Association, Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek out, access and express ideas.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS CELEBRATING BANNED BOOKS WEEK
- Banned Book Week Kick-off with Letterpress Printing. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, Central Library, Living Room, Level 3. Words have power! Kick off your celebration of Banned Books Week with Partners in Print. Stop by the Central Library’s Living Room to letterpress print your own words about what books mean to you. Registration is not required. This event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
- Banned Books Week: The Impact of Book Bans on Public Libraries. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Sep. 23. Online. Join The Seattle Public Library Chief Librarian Tom Fay and Folio librarian Lillian Dabney for a discussion about the impact of censorship on public libraries and our communities, and what Seattle has done to respond. Registration is required, but all Library events are free.
- Banned Books Week Letterpress Printing. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, University Branch. You’ll have another opportunity to letterpress print your own words about what books mean to you with Partners in Print. Registration is not required. This event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
- Pop-Up Book Sale. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29. Greenwood Branch. Find books and gifts for all ages at the Friends of The Seattle Public Library’s pop-up sale while celebrating Banned Books Week and listening to music from Dr. Christopher Hanson, Artistic Director of Rainbow City Performing Arts. Registration is not required.
Find a list of all Banned Books Week programs at www.spl.org/BannedBooksWeek. Many Library locations will also host displays related to Banned Books Week and the freedom to read.
BOOKS UNBANNED: DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF CARDHOLDERS
Launched in April 2023, The Seattle Public Library’s Books Unbanned program (www.spl.org/BooksUnbanned) allows young people across the U.S. ages 13 to 26 to access our collection of e-books and audiobooks.
In the past year, the number of Books Unbanned cardholders has more than doubled to over 10,300. Since the program’s launch, cardholders have checked out more than 73,000 unique titles, with a total of 250,000 checkouts.
“The freedom to read includes the freedom to learn and to know. An increase in censorship attempts over the last few years is a significant threat to these rights for the youth of America,” said Chief Librarian Tom Fay. “We are grateful that, with generous community support, we are able to champion these rights for young readers and learners who do not have the resources they are seeking where they live.”
In the past six months, the Library has renewed Books Unbanned cards for 2,900 youth, many of whom have shared stories about how the card has benefited them.
“I use [the card] to borrow books that are not available at my local library or online. This is very important to me because my area is very rural and conservative,” wrote a 17-year-old cardholder from Ohio. “I use this card to find digital books and audiobooks that reflect me and help me to not feel alone.”
“At times when I lacked time and transportation, I was able to check out books for multicultural authors from across the world that are not even heard of here or those books simply don't show up in my library,” wrote a 24-year-old cardholder from Texas.
In April 2024, the Library published a report with Brooklyn Public Library that analyzed stories collected from youth who had signed up for Books Unbanned. Titled “In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned” it shared new insights into the impact of censorship and lack of access on teen and young adults across the United States and the positive impact of having access to a robust digital collection of books.
The Library’s Books Unbanned card is funded by private support through The Seattle Public Library Foundation. People interested in supporting the Books Unbanned initiative can contribute through the Foundation’s Equity & Access Fund.
MORE INFORMATION
Books Unbanned was started by Brooklyn Public Library in April 2022 to protect the right to read and fight censorship by offering a free library card for teens and young adults around the nation. The Seattle Public Library joined Books Unbanned in April 2023.
Three more public libraries have joined the Books Unbanned initiative, including Boston Public Library, San Diego Public Library and LA County Public Library. You can see updates on the program at www.BooksUnbanned.com.
Located in one of just two UNESCO Cities of Literature in the U.S., The Seattle Public Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.