Censorship and Banned Books: 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.

Censorship and Banned Books: 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.

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

Advocate for your programs, curricula, collections, and services
Conduct a policy audit and ensure your protections are up to date and comprehensive
Make a plan to find allies and build coalitions to support you
Access resources and communities dealing with similar challenges
Develop and refer to talking points and best practices for speaking at school board meetings and connecting with stakeholders and community members
Create a plan for how to cope and take care of yourself in the midst of challenges

Hurry! Register before September 13 and receive our Advance rate!

How to Build and Defend Inclusive Collections

October 25, November 1 and 8

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.

After you attend this interactive online course and workshop, you’ll be able to:

Assess current library collections, book promotions, and displays through a diverse lens in order to assess gaps in collections and service areas
Understand key diversity and cultural literacy concepts such as white privilege, unconscious bias, cultural appropriation, and intersectionality
Recognize common problematic stereotypes, tropes, and microaggressions in media
Assess the diversity and inclusiveness of current collection development and RA practices
Plan and execute a diversity audit
Diversify collections and displays with cultural humility and confidence
Assess and revise your collection policies to address censorship
Find allies to join you in protecting intellectual freedom