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AGENCY TESTIMONY

Importance of freedom to read and NYPL's response to book bans

0:23:32

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95 sec

Dr. McNeil emphasizes the critical importance of preserving the freedom to read and ensuring access to books for all, especially in the face of increasing book bans across the country. She explains how this access is essential to NYPL's mission and vital to the survival of democracy.

Highlights how books educate people and invite discussion of different worldviews
Notes that the majority of banned books relate to experiences of marginalized communities
Explains how book bans can deprive people of the opportunity to learn and empathize with others' experiences
Emphasizes the historical importance of marginalized voices in advancing voting and civil rights

Dr. Brandy McNeil

0:23:32

1 of the most indispensable components of our work to engage citizens is the preservation of the freedom to read and access to books for all.

0:23:42

While equitable access to information has always been essential to NYPD's mission, it has become increasingly vital to the survival of our democracy which is currently being threatened by book bans across the country.

0:23:56

Books educate people about the world around them.

0:23:59

They invite discussion and dialogue and challenge readers to consider different world views and perspectives.

0:24:06

One of the most alarming aspects of recent book bands is that the overwhelmingly majority of the titles being challenged sent to the experiences of marginalized communities.

0:24:18

In particular, LGBTQ plus Americans and people of color.

0:24:24

These bookbands are often a feature of a larger context of efforts to explicitly ban or even criminalize the teaching of such topics as race, gender, and the identities of LGBTQ plus people.

0:24:41

The censorship of these topics keeps marginalized communities from seeing themselves represented in our country's literature and culture.

0:24:49

We know from history, for example, how important the voices of those most marginalized were to the advancement of voting and civil rights.

0:24:59

Perhaps most importantly, these bands deprive others of the opportunity to learn and empathize with their experience.

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