‘I read banned books’: Nashville Public Library sees overwhelming response to its newest campaign

Nashville library cards that say “I read banned books” are already running out in some locations.

The campaign launched last Thursday in response to the controversy over what books should be within children’s reach. This past year, two Tennessee school boards, Williamson and McMinn County, made national headlines after voting to remove children’s books about the Holocaust and Native American heritage.

Nashville Public Library says its campaign is about making sure kids have options.

“The point is, at the end of the day, whatever you decide, those books and materials are going to be here and open and accessible to you at Nashville Public Library,” says Andrea Fanta, the head of communications at NPL.

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Librarians at the Hermitage location get together for a banned book reading.

She says the campaign also showcases books that have been banned throughout the years including To Kill a Mockingbird, The Bluest Eye and Harry Potter. The curated selection of books were inspired by the American Library Association’s top 25 books that have been challenged in the U.S.

Nearly a fifth of the 5,000 limited edition library cards have been given out, according to Fanta. The campaign will run until May 26, and it’s free for new and existing card holders who reside in Nashville.