Brooklyn Public Library seeks to create a podcast series entitled Borrowed & Banned that tells the story of America’s ideological war with its bookshelves. This important narrative will be told in the voices of teachers and librarians whose livelihoods are endangered when they speak up, the writers whose work has become a political battleground, and the young people caught in the middle.

In this seven-episode podcast series, BPL will look at the past and the present of censorship in America, beginning with the Library’s impact on one school district in Oklahoma and a teacher’s protest that captured the nation’s attention. We will hear from the young activists who are making a difference in their communities, and share accurate, up-to-date information about the role of school boards and local government in advocating for or obstructing intellectual freedom.

One episode of the podcast series Borrowed & Banned will be released each week, starting with Banned Books Week 2023 (October 1 – 7) and ending in late November. In addition to telling compelling stories about the freedom to read, each episode will end with a call to action, such as voting in local elections and supporting librarians and teachers. We hope the series will motivate listeners to take a stand against censorship and work toward a more democratic future for their communities, and our nation as a whole.

Borrowed and Banned debuted on September 28, 2023. All episodes will be available on BPL’s website and your podcast app of choice.