Unfortunately, this type of censorship is on the rise. According to the American Library Association, individual book challenges increased markedly in the last few years, from approximately 300 book challenges in 2015 to over 1,600 just last year. New state laws and local school board policies across the country are having chilling effects on school librarians and classroom teachers. Book shelves are being emptied and children are being deprived of their freedom to read, of their chance to see themselves represented in literature, and of their vital opportunity to discover new places, different beliefs, and differing values.

We are excited to discuss this important issue with two grassroots reading rights activists and experts on the ground in Michigan and Florida - Hilery Cash and Raegan Miller.

Hilery Cash was a Michigan School Librarian for 38 years in both urban and suburban cities. She also sat on the Coretta Scott King Jury for the American Library Association (ALA). Since retiring, Hilary remains active in her community, currently serving on a number of boards including the Oak Park Library Board of Directors and non-profit organizations such as Women Confronting Racism and Advocate Michigan.

Raegan Miller is the Director of Development and Finance at Florida Freedom To Read Project. She is also a CPA and mother of two public school students. Raegan has served in leadership positions for countywide and statewide pro public education advocacy organizations.

Join us for this dynamic and vital discussion!

Closed captioning will be offered.