We’ve been honored to partner with Sage on Banned Books from the Big Chair at ALA Annual Conference for the last several years. This guest post from Luke Marquez, Events Manager for Sage, highlights exciting Sage programming on academic freedom and what’s in store for the 2026 conference…

At Sage, we believe that free expression in all forms is a basic human right and that belief is central to our mission of building bridges to knowledge. That’s why for more than a decade, we have sponsored the banned books readout — now the very popular Banned Books from the Big Chair booth — at the ALA Annual Conference, creating space for authors, educators, library workers, and readers to celebrate challenged books and advocate for the freedom to read.

During the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, as censorship continues to rise across higher education, we are expanding the conversation to address growing challenges to academic freedom. On Saturday, June 27 at 11:30 a.m., Sage will host a live panel, “Academic Freedom and the Role of the Academic Librarian,” at the Chapter One Stage (Booth #1328).

Academic librarians play a critical role in ensuring access to information, but what does safeguarding academic freedom look like in practice? How do librarians respond to censorship? How can they continue to support teaching and inquiry on campus?

Jamia Williams, assistant librarian, University of Utah, and Christina Bell, reference and instruction librarian, Glendale Community College will explore these questions.

Rhonda Contreras, Sage’s director of engagement, library partnerships, will moderate the discussion.  

Drawing on real-world experience, the panelists will share strategies for navigating censorship and discuss what’s at stake for teaching, research, and access to information.

“As academic freedom faces increasing pressure, this conversation matters,” said Contreras. “As an independent publisher, Sage is free to work closely with librarians and amplify their voices. We hope you’ll join us as part of that conversation.”

Banned Books from the Big Chair, which is cosponsored by the Banned Books Week Coalition, American Library Association, ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Round Table, and Unite Against Book Bans, will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Exhibition Concourse outside the exhibits entrance. Everyone is invited to the Banned Books from the Big Chair booth to grab a picture in a very big chair, talk about a favorite banned book, share the ways in which libraries changed their lives, make a call to action, or celebrate a win in the struggle against censorship.

Be on the lookout for visits from bestselling authors throughout the weekend! Videos recorded at the Banned Books from the Big Chair booth will be shared on YouTube and social media as a part of Banned Books Week 2026, which takes place October 4–10, 2026, and has the theme “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.”

The don’t-miss engagement opportunity at ALA Annual 2026, join us at the Banned Books From the Big Chair booth to embrace joy and creativity as acts of resistance in the fight against book bans!