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.
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
Rights Statement
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Comments
The event was recorded, but there were audio problems. Presentation notes are provided to give some context to the presentation slides.