Panelists explore ways in which book bans undermine identities and restrict information. Banned Books Week, Oct. 1-7, is an annual event highlighting the value of free and open access to information.
This timely discussion centers on how book bans threaten the very foundation of our democracy — and how we have a responsibility to protect the right to freely speak, think, read and write.
In recent years across the nation, we’ve seen a resurgence of systematic attempts to ban books from libraries, classrooms and curriculums with the aim to undermine experiences across all races, genders and sexualities. Despite New Jersey's national leadership in protecting and expanding civil rights and liberties, censorship has been attempted across the state this year.
Panelists include:
Martha Hickson, NJ Library Association 2023 Librarian of the Year
Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read Program Director at PEN America
Brielle Winslow-Majette, Deputy Director of Garden State Equality
This event will also be livestreamed on the ACLU of NJ Facebook page.
Presented in partnership with ACLU of NJ, Labyrinth Books, Princeton University Press and the Princeton Gender+Sexuality Resource Center.
