In a powerful move championing the freedom to read, the LA County Library has recently joined the National Books Unbanned initiative. This collaboration comes as a response to the increasing number of book censorship efforts taking place across the United States, highlighting the importance of access to a diverse range of literature for teenagers, as noted on LA County Library website.
The LA County Library will soon be launching its Books Unbanned digital card for adolescents aged 13 to 18, permitting them to borrow up to five digital titles at a time. This move comes after a June 2023 motion from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors – proposed by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Janice Hahn – which sought to widely spread the availability of library cards to teenagers around the state. The goal? To open up opportunities for young readers who lack access to certain banned books and to allocate funding for the acquisition of additional eBook and audiobook copies of frequently banned titles.
The National Books Unbanned initiative has seen the teamwork of several major library systems, including Brooklyn Public Library and Seattle Public Library. According to an announcement from the LA County Library, other library systems such as Boston Public Library and San Diego Public Library are also on board. Each of these partners is key to expanding and maintaining the freedom to read, enabling unrestricted access to their library materials far beyond the limits of their jurisdiction. All these efforts contribute to a future where young readers can grow, discover themselves, and form their opinions without the shackles of censorship.
Unfortunately, this initiative became necessary because of the escalating cases of book challenges throughout the country. The American Library Association (ALA) revealed that in 2022, they had recorded 1,269 demands to censor books and resources, nearly double the 729 book challenges reported in 2021. Following this trajectory, preliminary data from the ALA for 2023 shows a 20% increase in reported challenges. Most of the targeted books were written either for teenagers or by Black or LGBTQIA+ authors. With the Books Unbanned initiative striving to ensure equal access for all, it's no wonder that these statistics poignantly underline the urgency of this effort.
It is worth noting that the timing of the Books Unbanned digital card launch coincides with LGBT History Month, lending significance to the initiative's objective of inclusivity and representation. Many banned titles feature LGBTQIA+ authors and characters, often catered to adolescent audiences. These young readers find themselves at a crucial point in their lives, discovering their identities and cultivating their understanding of the world around them. Diverse literature offers opportunities to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and acceptance – traits lost to those who find themselves limited to commonly accepted narratives.
To facilitate the digital Books Unbanned card, LA County Library is utilizing Libby, by OverDrive, which allows young readers to access the library's entire collection of eBook and audiobook titles on any computer or mobile device. However, while this initiative receives support from the LA County Library Foundation, private donations play a crucial role. Those interested in contributing to this cause can donate at LACoLibraryFoundation.org/Donate-Books-Unbanned.
