The Digital Shelf Publishing & Library Forum: Data vs. Censorship: How Critical Data to Protect Intellectual Freedom is Being Preserved
Webinar Description
As book challenges continue to rise across the country, data has become a critical tool for libraries fighting to protect intellectual freedom. This webinar will provide an overview of several vital projects designed to ensure that information regarding book challenges and bans is accurately preserved and safely accessible.
Featured projects and initiatives include:
- The Banned Book Index Project (BBIP): A collaborative initiative using Wikidata to create an open, definitive dataset of every book ban in the United States.
- The American Library Association (ALA): An update on the ALA's latest tracking efforts and defense resources.
- Independent Research: The ongoing documentation work of Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson on behalf of PEN America and EveryLibrary.
- The Banned Index: A look at a brand-new, AI-driven index tracking censorship trends (bannedindex.org).
Representatives from each project will share their insights on current censorship challenges, highlight data resources available to libraries and the public, and explain how individuals can get involved. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the reality of book banning and the vital role data plays in the fight to preserve access.
Key Takeaways for Attendees:
- Learn how to easily navigate these digital resources and tracking tools.
- Discover how to submit new data and report local challenges.
- Gain actionable insights to defend intellectual freedom within your own community.
We will also provide a special spotlight on The Banned Book Club and Books Unbanned, highlighting how these innovative programs are actively bypassing local restrictions to keep digital books in the hands of readers.
Join us to explore how open-source data and digital initiatives are building a more resilient infrastructure for the future of free access.
Intended Audience
Librarians and book industry folks interested in library led efforts to push back on book banning.
Partners
Michael Blackwell, ReadersFirst
Michael Blackwell is the Director of the St. Mary's County Library and leads ReadersFirst. As a prominent national advocate for e-resources, he is instrumental in coordinating efforts across nearly 300 libraries to campaign for fair pricing, sustainable licensing, and an easier patron experience for library e-book content.
Jeremy Johannesen, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
Jeremy Johannesen is the Executive Director of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), an organization dedicated to supporting state library administrative agencies. He is a recognized advocate for nationwide library policy, leading COSLA's long-term efforts to influence publisher pricing and licensing models for e-books and digital content, ensuring equitable access and sustainable solutions for public libraries across the states.
Presenters
Michael Blackwell, ReadersFirst
Michael Blackwell is the Director of the St. Mary's County Library and leads ReadersFirst. As a prominent national advocate for e-resources, he is instrumental in coordinating efforts across nearly 300 libraries to campaign for fair pricing, sustainable licensing, and an easier patron experience for library e-book content.
Jill Egan, The Palace Project Curation Corps
Jill Egan manages The Palace Project Banned Book Club, a freely available digital collection of books that have been removed from libraries in response to complaint or legislation. Jill holds an MLIS from the University of Michigan and has over 30 years of experience in international K-12 and academic libraries. She is currently an instructional librarian at CT State, Asnuntuck.
Emma Karin Eriksson, Brooklyn Public Library
Emma Karin Eriksson is the Manager of Youth Civic Engagement & Expression at the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL). She earned her Master of Library & Information Science from Pratt Institute, specializing in Literacy, Education, and Outreach. In her current role, she develops and oversees programs that empower young people to become active participants in their communities through creative expression, civic literacy, and advocacy.
Jeremy Johannesen, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
Jeremy Johannesen is the Executive Director of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), an organization dedicated to supporting state library administrative agencies. He is a recognized advocate for nationwide library policy, leading COSLA's long-term efforts to influence publisher pricing and licensing models for e-books and digital content, ensuring equitable access and sustainable solutions for public libraries across the states.
Madison Markham, PEN America
Madison Markham (she/they) is the Program Coordinator for the Freedom to Read Program at PEN America, where they coordinate PEN’s state legislative advocacy for the freedom to read, support PEN America’s work researching book bans and aid grassroots advocates across the country.
They have a Bachelor’s in Sociology/Gender Studies from New College of Florida, where they helped lead student organizing efforts to protect free expression and inclusivity at the college, including co-hosting the first ever [NEW] Commencement alternative graduation and testifying to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in defense of free expression and inclusivity within higher education in Florida.
Micah May, Lyrasis
Micah May is the Director of Business Development for the Ebooks and Community Engagement (EBCE) division at Lyrasis, where he builds partnerships to support The Palace Project.
With over 15 years of experience, Micah is a leader in technology and library innovation. He previously served as Director of Ebooks at the Digital Public Library of America, where he spearheaded the Palace Marketplace and Palace Bookshelf. He also directed technology for Library for All, launching ebook apps in developing nations. As a Senior Director at the New York Public Library, he led strategy and innovation, conceiving and directing SimplyE, an open-source platform that simplifies ebook access. He also secured over $250 million in ebook donations from publishers to create Open Ebooks, an app-based library for children in low-income communities.
Micah holds a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He began his career as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he helped create a new research and development group.
Eric Stroshane, Office for Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association
Eric Stroshane, M.A., M.L.S., is the Associate Director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. He has 20 years of experience working in public, special, and academic libraries. As Associate Director of OIF, he educates, advocates, and provides confidential support defending the freedom to read. He created the Book Résumés website for Unite Against Book Bans and ALA’s Censorship Search Portal. He maintains OIF’s database documenting efforts to censor library resources in the U.S. He was news editor of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, president of the Mountain Plains Library Association, and contributed to the 11th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual. He researches, presents, and writes about the importance of intellectual freedom and the dangers of censorship.
Christie Thomas, University of Chicago
Christie Thomas is the Head of Data Management Services at the University of Chicago Library. She holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Arts from Samford University. Prior to her current leadership position, she spent over 16 years as a Librarian and Education Consultant at the university, gaining extensive experience with library resources and user services. This long tenure at the University of Chicago provided her with a deep understanding of the library's needs, which she now applies to managing its complex data and digital collections.
Lyrasis Learning events are delivered using the Zoom videoconferencing platform and will have AI-generated captions available. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon request. If you need ASL or other accommodations to support your participation in the course, please contact us at es@lyrasis.org at least 2 weeks in advance of the event or as soon as possible.