‘The Unbanned Book Club’ Brings Back Banished Titles To Reclaim Reading Rights
With numerous books facing bans throughout the country, advertising agency Venables Bell + Partners has partnered with nonprofit organization Little Free Library to bring back reading rights to communities that may be barred from certain titles.
Together, they’ve launched The Unbanned Book Club—a special collection of custom-branded tomes containing books that are currently being banned or challenged in schools. These tomes have been provided by publishers HarperCollins and Penguin Random House free of charge.
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Over the past two years, Jacksonville, located in Duval County, Florida, has been the region of over 150 book bans or challenges. Yet, it is not the only one, as similar restrictions affect more than 30 states across the country.
“An unprecedented number of books have been banned and challenged in America in recent years, silencing authors with diverse viewpoints and eliminating the chance for readers to feel seen and represented in their stories,” explained Greig Metzger, executive director of Little Free Library.
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“The Unbanned Book Club aims to keep these voices and opportunities for connection alive. We’re hopeful that together, along with involvement and support of citizens who feel strongly about these issues also, we can make a difference,” he added.
Initial Unbanned Book Club libraries will be available throughout Jacksonville, Florida, and will be managed by 904WARD, a not-for-profit collective aimed at cultivating a sense of inclusivity for residents in the city. Head here to see the full list of titles on loan.
[via The Stable and Benzinga, cover image via The Unbanned Book Club]
