The Negative Space Podcast

A Love Letter to Public Libraries

From banned books to restricted speech in schools, censorship is surging—with stories that live outside the mainstream being cast to the margins. With Project 2025 and the new administration pushing for deep-rooted information control, the danger isn’t just in banned books—it’s in the ideas they hold. Nick Higgins of Brooklyn Public Library broke down how this legacy institution is fighting back, protecting free access to knowledge, and defending the fundamental right to think critically.

Guest: Nick Higgins is the Chief Librarian at Brooklyn Public Library in charge of public service across Brooklyn and leads the development of transformative library services across the borough.

Resources

  • Books Unbanned Program 
  • Borrowed and Banned Podcast

Keep up with Brooklyn Public Library @bklynlibrary on Instagram and LinkedIn. Find out more about how they’re creating change and get involved at bklynlibrary.org/! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work. 

Credits: 

Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin 

Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo 

Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett 

Edited by Kate Mishkin 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.