NYC Public Libraries

Brooklyn Public Library Digital Collections

Photos l-r: Group of cyclists standing in Grand Army Plaza, the arch in the background. One bike has sign that reads: Black lives matter."; 1880s photo of seven men standing on catwalk during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Sign in foreground, "Safe for only 25 men at one time. Do not walk close together, nor run, jump, or trot. Break step!"

Across the country, an alarming number of attempts are being made to remove books from public and school libraries. The American Library Association has found that 4,240 books were targeted for censorship in 2023, a 65% increase over the already high number of 2,571 books the year before.

A disproportionate number of the books being targeted are written by and/or about Black people and history, Indigenous people and history, other people of color, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. 

There have been local movements to defund public libraries, harrassment and threats against individual librarians who have resisted censorship, and bills introduced (usually at the state level) to criminalize libraries for allowing access to books that some people find objectionable.

Public libraries and other organizations are pushing back against these bans. Books Unbanned is the Brooklyn Public Library's response against book banning.

To learn more and find other ways to get involved, you can also see United Against Book Bans (a project of the American Library Association) and the advocacy group Every Library.

All three public library systems provide information services and outreach for people who are incarcerated throughout New York's jails and prisons.

These programs include mobile libraries, reference services, and book donations, as well as helping families stay in contact and support for re-entry.

Find out how your library is connecting with local incarcerated communities and explore opportunities to donate and volunteer. 

See here for Brooklyn Public Library Justice Initiatives

For more general information:

Article in Library Journal about the Prison Library Support Network (PLSN)

Donate from the Prison Library Support Network Wishlist at Greenlight Books

Get involved with the Prison Library Support Network

Image: Brooklyn Public Library. "Justice_Telestory". https://www.bklynlibrary.org/outreach/justice-initiatives