Censorship and Book Bans: How to Defend Intellectual Freedom and How to Build and Defend Inclusive Collections

We know that building and defending inclusive collections is top of mind for many librarians. Join us this fall for two courses that will help give you the tools and skills to diversify your collections and protect intellectual freedom.

FEATURED COURSES

Censorship and Book Bans: How to Defend Intellectual Freedom

September 27

The last few years have seen a drastic uptick in book bans and curriculum challenges. As a librarian, teacher, administrator, or trustee, it can be difficult to know your options for managing these challenges and advocating for intellectual freedom and diverse educational materials. This half-day online course will focus on proactive preparation to ensure you are set up for success. We will also discuss ways to cope and protect yourself if you’re already in the throes of censorship challenges. Live sessions will be available on-demand.

How to Build and Defend Inclusive Collections

Oct 25, Nov 01, Nov, 08

Create library collections that are inclusive and reflect a diverse range of people, stories, and experiences by learning how to conduct a diversity audit, ensure representation, and defend your collections against censorship challenges.

Library collections must be diverse and inclusive, offering windows into and reflections of the vast array of people, stories and experiences that make up our world. In this course, you’ll learn from an outstanding group of experts as they explore key concepts essential to cultivating and promoting inclusive and equitable collections. You’ll conduct a diversity and inclusion audit of your collections, and hear about ways to include wider perspectives from and about LGBTQIA+ people, Black, indigenous, and people of color, and historically underrepresented ethnicities, cultures, and religions. You’ll learn how to ensure that your collections are more reflective of the diversity of your community and the larger world and how to establish policies for keeping your inclusive collections safe against book challenges.