It’s no secret that libraries broaden minds. All too often, the public library is—through the wealth of material on its shelves—the only place a person might have a chance to encounter and explore viewpoints and stories of people utterly unlike themselves. For that reason, it is essential that each library should be free to choose that material themselves. Since 1982, the American Library Association has proclaimed the last week of September as Banned Books Week, with libraries across the country celebrating the right of patrons to read freely.
hoopla is a perfect tool for patrons to use for Banned Books Week and all throughout the year. Our collection development experts have put together collections of both eBooks and audiobooks, featuring a number of titles that have faced bans or challenges over the years. Patrons browsing these collections will find a number of very popular bestselling books, as well as some of the best and most classic works of all time. These books and so many others that have been challenged make the world (not to mention high school English class) a much richer place, and we owe a debt of gratitude to librarians, teachers, and others who have fought to keep them on bookshelves and in classrooms.
Also, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. As you make your final push for your library, don’t forget to point out all the content available on hoopla to prospective new members. Along with eBooks and audiobooks (banned or otherwise), they can find a wide range of movies and television shows, full music albums, and comics and graphic novels, all available 24/7 with no holds and no late fees, from the convenience of their PCs and mobile devices.