Libraries’ Hosts “Banned and Contested: Perspectives on Challenging Book Censorship”
Syracuse University Libraries, in collaboration with The College of Arts and Sciences Department of English, is hosting ‘Banned and Contested: Perspectives on Challenging Book Censorship’ on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 2 pm to 5 pm in Bird Library’s Peter Graham Scholarly Commons. This year’s observation of Banned Books Week 2024 will include a panel discussion from 2 to 3 pm about current book challenges and banning in the United States and regionally. Panelists include:
- Roy Gutterman, Professor and Director of the Tully Center for Free Speech
- Allison Comes, Coordinator, O²CM School Library System
- Meg Van Patten, Director, Baldwinsville Public Library
- Leah T. Dudak, Librarian and PhD student, Syracuse University iSchool
Following the panel discussion, all are invited to participate in a Banned Books Read-Out from 3 to 5 p.m. The Read-Out invites readers across the University to share an excerpt from their favorite banned book. Participants are welcome to bring their own book or choose from one featured in the Libraries’ banned books display. Refreshments, banned books stickers and raffles will be provided.
Other University departments sponsoring the event include Department of English; Department of Art and Music Histories; Department of Languages, Literature, and Linguistics; Tully Center for Free Speech; History Department; College of Information Studies; Disability Cultural Center; Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition; Department of Religion; and Department of African American Studies .
The Libraries will have a Banned Books Week display on the first floor of Bird Library from September 22 through 28. More information is also available on the Banned Books Week Research Guide.