QUESTION
What are the initiatives to protect intellectual property and provide access to books across the country?
1:36:07
·
4 min
The Brooklyn Public Library has initiated the Books Unbanned program to provide nationwide access to books, including those that have been banned in some areas.
- The program is funded entirely through private money.
- It gives teens across the country digital access to the library's entire collection.
- The goal is to uphold freedom of reading and access to all books.
- Libraries are highly trusted institutions that foundations and philanthropists support.
- Maintaining this trust is essential for libraries to serve communities effectively.
Shahana Hanif
1:36:07
I just wanna can you also incorporate because, of course, it's a proactive repository of I mean, passive repository of information, but also a literacy center and so much more, just specifically the the books for all initiative.
1:36:24
As because you all are serving as an example as a demonstration.
1:36:28
1 of the few in our entire nation of how to protect intellectuals, authors, characters.
Linda Johnson
1:36:39
So thanks.
1:36:39
You know, Brooklyn has initiated now over 2 years ago this program called books unbanned, which is a program that is nationwide as you point out.
1:36:49
It's done with a 100% private money, which I say because we, of course, are providing service outside of New York City, but also because of the point that Tony just made.
1:37:00
And Dennis, it all sort of coalesces.
1:37:03
Libraries are in fact, you know, highly trusted institutions, and they're trusted not only by our patrons and consistent is an important part of that.
1:37:14
But we're also trusted by the foundations and philanthropists who contribute to the libraries.
1:37:21
And if that trust starts to fray as great word that that Dennis uses, all of it starts to disintegrate in ways that impact not only the work that our fabulous staff want to provide, but also in terms of how much the community feels welcome and and trusts that will be doing what we say will do.
1:37:45
It's very important for all libraries to be consistent in their hours, in their service, and in everything that we deliver that is an essential part of who we are.
1:37:55
With respect to books on banned, we are very fortunate here in New York City not to be afflicted by book bans, but it's not something that libraries across the country can say.
1:38:08
And so the programs that we've been offering have provide access to teens across the country, to our entire digital collection, not just books that have been banned but all books because we believe deeply in the freedom to be to read anything that you would like to read.
Tony Marx
1:38:26
Linda and Dennis are doing amazing work on this.
1:38:29
Look, it's it's on just as it's unthinkable that we're sitting here talking about resist and cuts to libraries given everything you've heard.
1:38:37
It's also unthinkable that we're sitting here talking about book banning in America.
1:38:42
Banning that are targeted at kids who are trying to figure out who they are.
1:38:49
Right?
1:38:49
Whether it's LGBTQ or kids of color or whatever it is.
1:38:54
Right?
1:38:55
So we're proud to use private funds to step up to be national leaders to stand for what New York stands for, what we know the mayor stands for.
1:39:06
Right?
1:39:06
He's been very vocal on that subject with us.
1:39:09
That's a fabulous partnership.
1:39:13
But, you know, if yes, we're not banning books in New York.
1:39:18
But if our doors are closed Mhmm.
1:39:21
If our doors are closed, I mean, I'll go back to Dennis's point.
1:39:25
You know, so many of the people who use us and depend on us are folks without resources who are managing double jobs and raising kids or taking care of aging seniors.
1:39:42
They need to know that when they show up at the door, it will be open reliably so.
1:39:49
Just a 1 or 2 experiences of, oh, it's not open, and people get busy.
1:39:57
They move on.
1:39:59
They don't come back.
1:40:00
They're not sure they can trust us.
1:40:03
And we are the most trusted institution in this town.
1:40:07
Those are tragic outcomes that we need a budget result that precludes those outcomes and guarantees that going forward so that we can move forward together.
