Brooklyn Public Library Wins Anthem Awards For 'Unbanned,' Podcast

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The Brooklyn Public Library just can't stop winning awards.

The library announced today that it won two Anthem awards, a mission-based honor from the Webby Awards, a first-place prize for its Books Unbanned project and a bronze medal for its flagship podcast about all-things library, called "Borrowed."

"We are thrilled to accept the Anthem Award for two of our most beloved programs. Since 2019, Borrowed, the Library’s flagship podcast, has produced powerful audio stories which start at the Library and are designed to uplift, educate, and inspire the listeners wherever they sit," said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. "And, our Books Unbanned initiative is leading the way across the nation, fighting back against book bans and for the very democratic ideals on which our nation was founded, the right of every Individual to seek information from all points of view."

Books Unbanned project, an initiative that made their entire electronic collection available for anyone across the country, brought a coveted Librarian of the Year award to the team behind the project earlier this year.

Since launching last April, over 6,000 teens have applied for the card from all 50 states.

Not to be outdone, another pioneering project from the Brooklyn institution, a new podcast titled "Borrowed," won third prize in the audio category.

The audio series explores topics across the 62 Brooklyn Public Library branches, from the secret lives of librarians to the struggles of homelessness. The podcast also collected dozens of oral histories during the pandemic to offer a picture of Brooklyn's collective loss and resilience.

You can listen to the podcast here.