Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Place: Online at
Presenter: Panel
Cost: Free
Take the lead in defense of intellectual freedom! Learn strategies for effective coalition building, managing a crisis, and exercising legal options in the face of book banning efforts.
In this free, virtual town hall, glean practical takeaways on how to take control and feel empowered in these challenging times.
During this event, you will learn:
- Strategies to build local impactful coalitions, including: how to gain support from a variety of local organizations, as well as parents and students; refine your message to your local community/state: develop best practices to consistently communicate about legislation, outreach, events
- Crisis management skills, with advice on who to call first and steps to take to protect yourself personally and professionally; when and how to form a public response
- Legal options, with information about: what should you do in preparation for possible legal action, and much more.
PROGRAM
Coalition Building, 11 to 11:35 a.m. ET
Moderator: Kara Yorio, SLJ senior news editor
John Chrastka, executive director, EveryLibrary
Conrrado Saldivar, president, Wyoming Library Association
Beth Andersen, president-elect, Maine Association of School Libraries
Crisis Management, 11:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET
Martha Hickson, school librarian, North Hunterdon (NJ) High School; winner of the 2022 Judith Krug Outstanding Librarian Award
Amanda Jones, school librarian, Live Oak Middle School, Denham Springs, LA; president, Louisiana Association of School Librarians; 2021 School Librarian of the Year
Legal Recourse, 12:20 to 12:55 p.m. ET
Moderator: Kelley R. Taylor, journalist and former attorney
Kasey Meehan, director, PEN America’s Freedom to Read Project