As academic libraries increasingly find themselves at the crossroads of public relations challenges and the defense of academic freedom, it's crucial for library leaders to navigate these waters effectively. This webinar delves into the strategies needed to anticipate and address emerging challenges that could be perceived as PR issues but fundamentally impact academic freedom and the core mission of libraries. Understanding these dynamics and preparing your institution's leadership to handle them appropriately is essential to safeguarding the mission, vision, and values of your library. Join EveryLibrary’s Executive Director, John Chrastka, and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to anticipate and counter challenges to intellectual freedom.
Learning Outcomes
Identify and differentiate between genuine threats to academic freedom and mere PR challenges.
Prepare and align upper-level administrators, including general counsel, provosts, and chancellors, with the library’s commitment to academic freedom.
Proactively manage risks associated with challenges to intellectual freedom and controversial materials.
Ensure that challenges to books and resources are addressed not as threats to the institution's image, but as opportunities to reinforce the importance of academic freedom.
Instructor: John Chrastka
John Chrastka is the Founder and Executive Director of EveryLibrary, the national political action committee (PAC) for libraries. He is a former partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities. He is a former President and member of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (Ill.) Public Library (2006–2015) and is a former President of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) multi-type library system.