In the Media November 28, 2023

San Diego Public Library offers banned books to people across the country

By Amita Sharma / KPBS Investigative Reporter

I believe young readers have a right to see themselves reflected on the shelves of all libraries, and when that is challenged, I want them to know that there are people who see them and are ready to protect their right to read what they want.”

Patrick Stewart, CEO of Library Foundation SD

The San Diego Public Library is fighting censorship elsewhere in the country.

The library has joined its counterparts in Los Angeles, Seattle and Boston to participate in Books Unbanned. Brooklyn Public Library started the program in 2022 to provide access to scores of books that have been removed from public and school library shelves in nearly two dozen states. Many of those states had organized book banning campaigns.