Let Freedom Read: Exploring Banned Books and Intellectual Freedom in Florida

Authors

Christopher M. Jimenez, Florida International UniversityFollow
George Pearson, Florida International University
Melissa del Castillo, Florida International UniversityFollow
Stephen Thomson Moore, Florida International UniversityFollow
Lowell Bryan Cooper, Florida International UniversityFollow
Jacqueline Radebaugh, Florida International UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

10-5-2023

Document Type

Presentation

Abstract

On October 5, 2023, the FIU Libraries’ Academic and Intellectual Freedom Committee hosted a crucial discussion on the current state of book banning and censorship in the United States, with a specific focus on Florida. This special session was part of the First Thursdays Library lecture series.

During the event, attendees were presented with startling statistics from the American Libraries Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA OIF), PEN America, the Florida Freedom to Read Foundation (FFTRF), and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) that led experts to declare 2022 the worst year for book bans in history. The committee also delved into the impact of recent state legislation, which has enabled increased demands for censorship.

The session also explored effective strategies that libraries can employ to foster thoughtful dialogue even amidst dissenting viewpoints. By reviewing the concerning trends and offering reflective responses, the event sought to shed light on current intellectual freedom challenges and equip libraries to uphold access to information.

Comments

The event was recorded, but there were audio problems. Presentation notes are provided to give some context to the presentation slides.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Jimenez, Christopher M.; Pearson, George; del Castillo, Melissa; Moore, Stephen Thomson; Cooper, Lowell Bryan; and Radebaugh, Jacqueline, "Let Freedom Read: Exploring Banned Books and Intellectual Freedom in Florida" (2023). Works of the FIU Libraries. 146.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/glworks/146