Secret Minecraft library holds 'censored literature' from across the world. Here's how to find it
The idea was sparked when oppressive regimes started blocking independent media websites while leaving online gaming servers completely untouched
In a world where governments can instantly take down websites, block social networks, and silence dissenting voices with a single click, open access to truth can feel nearly impossible to protect. But on March 12, 2020, news outlets revealed a brilliant workaround: an incredible digital stronghold hidden in plain sight known as The Uncensored Library. Built directly within Minecraft, one of the most popular video games on earth, this library serves as a clandestine haven where forbidden words come back to life for anyone curious enough to log in. Reporters Without Borders, aka Report ohne Grenzen (@reporterohnegrenzen), posted the original film of The Uncensored Library six years ago, gaining 256,000 views since.
12.5 million digital blocks
The idea was sparked when oppressive regimes started blocking independent media websites while leaving online gaming servers completely untouched. Taking advantage of this digital loophole, Reporters Without Borders collaborated with design collective BlockWorks to assemble an expansive virtual structure using over 12.5 million digital blocks. "In many countries, websites, social media, and blogs are controlled by oppressive leaders," the project organizers noted, pointing out how young people are routinely fed state-sponsored disinformation. "But even where almost all media is blocked or controlled, the world’s most successful computer game is still accessible."
How to access it
Open your Minecraft application, click on Multiplayer and then Direct Connect. Then enter the IP address visit.uncensoredlibrary.com before proceeding with prompts on screen. You can also visit the Uncensored Library's own website, find its Minecraft map in the Downloads section, extract that .zip file and place it in your Minecraft "saves" folder (inside your native .minecraft directory), then select Single Player and wander into this world.
Hundreds of banned articles
The Uncensored Library is an immersive digital archive containing hundreds of banned articles republished inside interactive, in-game books. Across dedicated wings representing nations like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Vietnam, and Egypt, players can open virtual manuscripts and read the exact reporting that authoritarian leaders tried to burn or ban. As James Delaney, Managing Director of BlockWorks, put it: "The Uncensored Library is a bold use of Minecraft and really encapsulates everything that is great about this game and the community it has created."
Censorship in the US
While censorship seems like a foreign issue, it's quietly escalating right here in the United States. According to a report by PEN America, public schools across the country recorded over 10,046 book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, a massive spike compared to previous years. Plus, of all book ban cases, 43% — or 4,295 bans — involved books being completely removed from access, rather than awaiting review or remaining available under new restrictions. This marks a 16-percentage-point increase from previous years, when 27% of banned books were fully prohibited.
'Doing God's work'
Online reaction to the project has been overwhelmingly supportive, with users praising how a block-building video game was transformed into a powerful tool for free speech. @professional_hyena noted, "The endless potential this game has never ceases to amaze." @ToshiBulka compared the monumental build to history, writing, "I must admit, it was hard, honest work. Just insane. Creating the whole world in Minecraft just for people to read censored books. Also, it's like the Great Library of Alexandria." Meanwhile, @spiraledcrow commended the organization's noble mission, posting, "These guys are doing God's work. Well done, guys."
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