# Banned Book Clubs The DPLA's Banned Book Club Challenges Censorship By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2023-07-21 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-book-club References: [adage](https://adage.com/creativity/work/digital-public-library-america-creates-banned-book-club-fight-censorship/2504966) & [TheBannedBookClub.info](http://TheBannedBookClub.info) The [Digital Public Library of America](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-parenthood-community) launched The Banned Book Club to ensure that readers in communities with book bans can access banned books, for free, via the [Palace e-reader app](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-library). This censorship-challenging club increases access to banned books in the form of e-books that support access to knowledge for all. With GPS-based geo-targeting, DPLA makes it possible for readers to visit the club's website to see the books that have been banned in their area. John S. Bracken, executive director of Digital Public Library of America, says "Today book bans are one of the greatest threats to our freedom, and we have created The Banned Book Club to leverage the dual powers of libraries and digital technology to ensure that every American can access the books they want to read." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 16% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Censorship-challenging Clubs:** The Banned Book Club challenges censorship by providing access to banned books through a digital platform. - **Gps-based Geo-targeting:** DPLA's use of GPS-based geo-targeting enables readers to easily identify the books that have been banned in their area. - **Digital Reading Platforms:** The Banned Book Club uses the Palace e-reader app to distribute banned books in a convenient and accessible digital format. ### Who This Affects Most - **Library Services:** The Banned Book Club leverages the power of libraries to promote freedom of information and ensure access to banned books. - **Digital Technology:** The integration of digital technology by The Banned Book Club expands access to banned books and allows readers to engage with them through a digital platform. - **Publishing:** The Banned Book Club disrupts the traditional publishing industry by distributing banned books for free through a digital reading platform, challenging the existing barriers to access. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Banned Book Library Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-books-library-card.md) - [Banned Books Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-books.md) - [Banned Book Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-book-campaign.md) - [Provocative Banned Books Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-books-jail.md) - [Nordic Library Book Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dawit-isaak-library.md) - [Inclusive Book Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freedom-to-read-week.md) - [Censorship-Combatting Library Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freedom-to-read-weeks.md) - [Gen Z Book Clubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/booktok.md) - [Literary Subscription Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffys-book-club.md)