December 2023 | Volume XLI, Issue 4 »
The Power of Partnerships: Multi-Library Banned Books Week Webinar
December 7, 2023
Ashley Johnson & Roz Topolski, Vernon Area Public Library District
As the planning for Banned Book Week was underway at our library, Vernon Area Public Library District, our collaborative Community Engagement department became inspired by the succinct but poignant phrase “Free People Read Freely.” The Freedom to Read Foundation’s motto echoed our feelings about intellectual freedom and our library’s commitment to access to information.
In 2022, the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom reported the highest number of attempted book bans since they started tracking this data more than 20 years ago. Trends in 2023 suggest a new record will be set this year.
Compelled to take action, we began planning a webinar, “Book Challenges on the Rise: Support Your Freedom to Read,” which took place on October 2, 2023. We envisioned an ambitious event with two goals. First, we wanted to assemble a first-rate panel of speakers to explore how libraries and readers can support intellectual freedom. Second, we wanted to partner with as many Illinois libraries as possible to amplify the message.
Momentum for the event began to build when we secured Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias as a panelist. Giannoulias is an outspoken defender of the freedom to read and the author of Illinois’ landmark anti-book ban legislation.
Adding their expertise to the panel were Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) Executive Director Monica Harris and two Illinois-based authors, Jarrett Dapier and Jasmine Warga. Noted syndicated columnist Heidi Stevens, who appears in the Chicago Tribune, agreed to moderate the discussion.
Originally, we hoped to partner with 20 libraries to co-host the webinar. When more than 75 signed on, it became clear we’d identified a need. Through networking support including RAILS and ILA, the word spread across the state.
Ultimately, more than 800 library patrons joined the webinar from Chicago to Rock Island, and Harvard to Carbondale. Many submitted questions in advance, but the resounding theme was “how can individuals support libraries and the freedom to read?”
RAILS Director Monica Harris provided action steps for library users who oppose book challenges, such as joining a friends of the library foundation, attending a school or library board meeting, writing an op-ed to a local newspaper, or running for office in your library or school board. “We’ve seen so many surveys that show somewhere between 70 and 90 percent of people in this country, across political lines, do not support taking books out of public libraries. If you mobilize an effort to make sure people in your community know that these things are happening, people will show up. But they need you to make your voice heard and get things started,” said Harris.
Harris further explained that most concerns about books that are brought up by a community member are addressed with a conversation: A librarian “will explain to the person that though this material might not be right for them or their family, the library is for everyone. And for most people that is where a challenge stops. They understand that while they have the right to determine what is right for their families, they don’t have the right to determine what everyone should read.”
Secretary Giannoulias provided insight into the nation-leading legislation that protects libraries in Illinois against attempts to ban or restrict access to books or other materials. “We’re very lucky in Illinois to have leaders that stand up for the freedom of speech and the freedom to learn. The outpouring of support from librarians has been tremendous,” said Giannolias. “We have heard from other states and others are working on legislation. The state of California and New Jersey have reached out. I am very optimistic that other states will follow suit.“
Authors Jarrett Dapier and Jasmine Warga discussed their first-hand experiences of having their books challenged or banned from certain libraries, a situation many authors are increasingly forced to face.
Dapier shared his experience when his picture book Mr. Watsons’ Chickens was challenged at an Alabama library by a parent who felt the book contributed to indoctrination. The book tells the story of a same-sex couple who live on a farm and raise chickens together. In support of the library, another parent in Alabama responded to the challenge by taking action, collecting testimonials from Dapier and community members, submitting a packet to the library board, and providing public comment at the meeting. Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to keep the book on the shelf.
“Libraries are a cornerstone of democracy, but democracy requires participation,” said Dapier. “Do everything you can to make sure your board is good and does everything they can to support libraries, and doesn’t actually want to defund libraries.”
Warga discussed her 2020 Newbery Honor book, Other Words for Home, a sweet and hopeful story about a 12-year-old girl and her family’s move from Syria to the U.S. “When I was a kid I never saw myself represented in books as an Arab American and Muslim American,” Warga explained. “When this book was challenged, this took me back to being 12 years old and not feeling like I fit in and looking on the library shelf hoping to find that type of belonging.”
It was heartening to hear the passion around this subject from the library community: patrons, librarians, library directors and trustees. One library’s board of trustees even watched the conversation as a group prior to the start of their monthly meeting.
One participant shared, “I think this was a real eye opener locally...everyone involved added a well needed perspective.”
“...as a 20-year library trustee — thank you for a very informative program!”
“As a children’s librarian who works in a library where children’s books that include LGBTQ information are being stolen and defaced, I appreciate that this is something we’re talking about,” added another participant.
Given the urgency of this subject to libraries and readers everywhere, it was of importance to us that the program and its message have the biggest impact possible. An online format allowed us to freely partner with libraries across the state without concern for how many audience members fit in the room or how far audience members would need to travel — making it an ideal opportunity for a multi-library partnership.
Event promotions benefit from the multiplier effect, too. When local news outlets see that an event is hosted by multiple libraries, they take greater notice and are more likely to cover it. When patrons see the same event advertised across a variety of social media channels, library newsletters, and local news media outlets, they take greater notice and are more likely to participate.
These partnerships allow libraries to easily expand their program offerings simply by signing on as a partner. And as more libraries offer more partnership opportunities, we all benefit from a richer catalog of programs for our patrons. In this instance we were able to amplify the message of “Free People Read Freely.” We hope you and your libraries are emboldened to pursue opportunities for collaboration. With a little effort and commitment, large-scale partnerships are attainable and put libraries in a pivotal position to inform and motivate our communities around critical issues.
ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT TO SUPPORT THE FREEDOM TO READ:
- ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
- Freedom to Read Foundation
- ILA Intellectual Freedom Committee
- Merit Humanitarian Fund
- National Coalition Against Censorship
- Pen America
- Unite Against Book Bans
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