Books Unbanned
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We Won a Bookish Super Bowl Bet + Parade Snaps
Like all of the Emerald City, The Seattle Public Library has been reveling in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win — but in a very library-like way. Late last week, we placed a bookish bet with Boston Public Library: The library with the winning team would get to create a booklist for the other to host.… Continue reading
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Books Unbanned: 1 Million Checkouts
In 2022, Brooklyn Public Library launched Books Unbanned to provide access to digital books for young people impacted by censorship. The Seattle Public Library joined in 2023, with our foundation generously funding the program. Three and a half years after Brooklyn’s big idea, The Books Unbanned coalition has grown to six libraries. For Banned Books… Continue reading
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Celebrating Banned Books Week and More October 2025 Events
Grab your favorite banned or challenge book and help us celebrate the freedom during Banned Books Week, which takes place from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11 this year. We’ll have a read-in, programs highlighting the impact of censorship and displays. Plus, you can stop by your favorite neighborhood library and pick up a “Read What… Continue reading
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Eight Stories From Two Years of Books Unbanned
Almost exactly two years ago, on April 27, 2023, The Seattle Public Library took action against censorship and for the freedom to read. We joined Brooklyn Public Library in launching a Books Unbanned program that offers a free card to our digital collection of e-books and e-audiobooks to young people ages 13 to 26 from… Continue reading
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Banned Books for Teens
Unfortunately for us all, more and more books for teens are being challenged in schools and libraries all across the nation. Here are some of the most popular banned and challenged titles, taken from our Books Unbanned project list. In The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, it seems Mike doesn’t fit in anywhere, or with anyone,… Continue reading