Become a Partner

Books Unbanned partners commit to joining BPL in our common mission of defending the right to read for teens and young adults.

Partners are granted the free use of Books Unbanned branding to create and operate their own version of the initiative at their institutions.

All partners are expected to:

• Implement or strengthen policies and practices for receiving and reviewing challenges to materials from the public.
• Avoid rearranging collections solely in response to pressure to do so, nor adjust library card sign-up policies to placate external censorship advocacy groups.
• Share Books Unbanned statistics and outcomes with BPL and other Books Unbanned partners.
• Attend meeting to share updates and information.

Partner FAQ's

Books Unbanned partners commit to our shared mission of defending the right to read for teens and young adults. Partners are encouraged to operate their own personalized version of the initiative at their institutions – digital access expansion is not a requirement.

What types of partnerships are available?

Full Partner:

• Make its digital collections freely available to young adults outside of its immediate service area - particularly to young adults requesting material due to restrictions, bans, or other access challenges in their local communities.
• Regularly join meetings with other libraries in the Books Unbanned coalition to advise on strategy around access, education, and pushing back on censorship efforts.
• Engage in promotion and programming expectations.

Promotional Partner:

• Circulate and share Books Unbanned posters and other print materials in order to promote the message and advance the goals of the coalition.
• Reshare Books Unbanned related posts on social media platforms
• Support a Books Unbanned newsletter (produced by Brooklyn Public Library) by providing content or promoting sign up with constituents.

Programming Partner:

• Develop and support regular teen groups/councils focused on advocacy and education around the freedom to read.
• Host regular programs, events, or discussion groups for young adults focused on the freedom to read.
• Attend virtual meetings with other Books Unbanned partners to share program outcomes and develop collaboration strategies among partners.

What does Brooklyn Public Library provide?

• Access to BPL-developed curriculum and other resources to support teen programs and councils
• A logo specific to your institution and permission to use the Books Unbanned graphics on promotional materials
• Access to best practice documents created by BPL's development, marketing, customer experience, programming and legal teams
• Support and collaboration from all the Books Unbanned partners

Why become a partner?

• Take direct action in the fight against book bans and censorship
• Provide Brooklyn Public Library with valuable on the ground information which we can then use to strengthen the project
• Share your collections and resources with teens and young adults
• Join in the power of the collective to support the visibility of the Books Unbanned initative