I wasn’t planning on posting today, but I stumbled across some United States book ban-related news that I thought might be interesting to many. If you live in the U.S., chances are you’re probably aware that book bans are a hot topic. However, this time it’s not all bad. In fact, this is good news.

For a limited time, individuals ages 13-21 can apply for a free Brooklyn Public Library card. This free Brooklyn Public Library card applies to anyone within this age range who lives within the U.S. It provides users access to BPL’s full eBook collection as well as their learning databases. For those who live outside of New York state, send an email to booksunbanned@bklynlibrary.org. Those who live in New York can apply here.

This opportunity is BPL’s “Books Unbanned” initiative resulting from an increase in efforts to remove books from libraries. BPL’s “Books Unbanned” site also provides information on how to donate if you want to support the freedom to read.

BPL offered this service to teens and young adults last year. I thought it had ended, but apparently they decided to keep it alive. So, if you already knew this, then great, and if you didn’t, well, now you know! This is great news for younger readers who find their reading choices oppressed by their local governments. In January 2023 the New York Times reported that 6,000 teenagers have requested library cards through the “Books Unbanned” program since it started in Spring 2022. And since its inception there have been 52,000 checkouts.

So, spread the word, because reading is fun, even more so when it’s free!

This article was originally posted on February 3, 2023 and last updated on February 2, 2023. For direct information about how to obtain a free Brooklyn Public Library card, visit their “Books Unbanned” website.