UChicago Library partnership provides free access to over 900 banned eBooks

In October 2023, the University of Chicago Library announced an effort to collect more than 1,500 books banned in the U.S. with the goal of making them broadly available and supporting research on book bans.

Now, the library is funding online access to more than 900 banned ebooks for all Illinois residents for at least a year through a partnership with the Digital Public Library of America.

“Book bans are not usually just aimed at an individual book,” explained University Librarian and Dean of the University Library Torsten Reimer. “They are aimed at what a book stands for and what libraries stand for.”

Everyone in Illinois can access the books for free by downloading the Palace e-reader app (available on both Apple and Android devices).

The collection on the app represents a subset of more than 1,500 items that have been removed from library shelves across the country, as researched and curated by Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson of EveryLibrary. The UChicago Library is committed to working with DPLA to increase that percentage, hoping to eventually make all banned books available online—in partnership with authors and publishers.

Prior to October’s launch effort, the UChicago Library had already been building a collection of banned books and had established infrastructure for sharing materials with UChicago faculty, students and staff (through direct borrowing) and with the broader community (through interlibrary loan).

But, the Library wanted to make access to banned ebooks easier for the general public. With the DPLA’s existing digital infrastructure in place, a partnership was a natural next step.

“Books are more than containers of knowledge or sources of inspiration or enjoyment,” added Reimer. “They are a symbol for knowledge and its impact on society. In a similar way, libraries are more than containers of books. They are a symbol for progress and a promise. A promise of a space where we can get lost in thought, get inspired, engage with the world’s knowledge.

“A promise that a free society accepts and cherishes a multitude of views, even if we personally may not agree with all of them. And a promise that we stand by those who cannot afford access to knowledge, and that marginalized communities can still use their voices.”

Start reading with the app

1. Download The Palace App on Google Play (Android) or through the App Store (Apple)

2. Search for “Banned Book Club.”

3. Click on the Settings gear icon in the lower right corner.

4. Click on Libraries, then Banned Book Club.

5. At the login screen, Click on Create Card.

6. Click “Allow Once” when prompted to allow Palace to use your location.

7. Follow the instructions to create your virtual library card.

8. Check your email and click the verification link.

9. Return to the Palace App and log in using the library barcode number found in the verification email and the password you created.

10. Download your first book!