The Seattle Public Library says its Books Unbanned program has recorded more than 1 million digital checkouts by teens and young adults since launching in 2023. The library puts the total at 1.1 million e-books and e-audiobooks borrowed by young people from all 50 states.
The donor-funded e-card is available to people ages 13 to 26 across the United States who live outside the library’s service area. Donors to The Seattle Public Library Foundation have contributed nearly $900,000 to support the program since 2023, the library and foundation said.
Seattle joined Books Unbanned after Brooklyn Public Library started the initiative in 2022 amid efforts to remove books from library shelves. The Seattle library says the card can help young people whose local access to books is limited by censorship, funding, distance or disability. The milestone comes ahead of Banned Books Week, October 4–10.
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