As part of its Freedom to Read campaign, the Nashville Public Library created "I Read Banned Books" library cards and it released four previously banned books as free e-books.
The Nashville Public Library questions: “Your library card gives you free access to over two million books, e-books, magazines, DVDs, streaming movies, music, and more. Would you surrender your right to choose any one of them?" A recent survey by the American Library Association (ALA) showed that 71% of readers are against the removal of books from local public libraries.
5,000 I Read Banned Books library cards have been made available in 21 locations across America, and they are of no added charge to an existing library card, and these cards promise to serve as conversation starters on the freedom to read.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Freedom to Read Campaign
- Libraries and bookstores can capitalize on the Freedom to Read Campaign by promoting and selling previously banned books.
- Library Card Awareness
- Libraries can create awareness and start conversations about the availability of a vast collection of books and other materials with library cards.
- Digitalization of Books
- Publishers and booksellers can take advantage of the digital age by digitizing books and making them available to the public, especially books that were previously banned.
Where This Applies
- Libraries
- Libraries can take advantage of the Freedom to Read Campaign to promote and create awareness about the availability of previously banned books.
- Bookstores
- Bookstores can capitalize on the Freedom to Read Campaign by promoting and selling banned books.
- Publishing
- Publishing companies can take advantage of the digital age by digitizing book collections and making them available to the public.
