Former President Barack Obama has endorsed the Banned Books Club, a Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) initiative combating book censorship in schools due to right wing pressure in Republican states.
Obama recently shared his summer reading list in a tweet, which features books such as Jonathan Eig’s “King: A Life,” Eleanor Catton’s “Birnam Wood,” and David Grann’s “The Wager.” Alongside his book recommendations, he voiced his support for the Unite Against Book Bans campaign by the American Library Association (ALA). In his endorsement, Obama criticized book bans as “profoundly misguided” and highlighted their tendency to target marginalized communities, including people of color, indigenous people, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Last year, the American Library Association (ALA) reported a troubling 38% increase in book censorship cases in US public schools, affecting a record-breaking 2,571 unique titles.
To counteract these bans, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) established the Banned Books Club, which uses GPS-based geo-targeting to create virtual libraries in communities where book bans have been enforced. Readers in these areas can access the banned books for free through the Palace e-reader app after visiting TheBannedBookClub.info.
Obama’s support for the Banned Books Club highlights a sense of urgency among dems and blue states in preserving literary freedom and ensuring diverse literature. The Club’s approach empowers readers to access restricted books, counteracting the stifling impact of censorship.
Obama emphasizes the importance of intellectual freedom and unrestricted access to information, fostering a well-informed society that engages critically with diverse viewpoints.
The Banned Books Club is gaining momentum as a critical tool in safeguarding intellectual freedom and combating censorship.
