The landscape of youth librarianship that we are navigating has changed drastically over the past few years, partly due to the extraordinary surge of targeted attacks on this space by book-banning groups. From coordinated book challenge efforts to the growth of partisan book rating websites, library workers are facing immense scrutiny, pressure, professional risk and personal abuse for offering books that reflect all readers. How can library workers navigate this stifling environment while also advocating for young readers?

Find out during this free Banned Books Workshop on Thursday, October 8 jointly hosted by ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Booklist. Led by experts in the field, these sessions will address the state of the youth and teen services spaces and focus on support and resources available to keep your team prepared. The event will begin with a special author interview with George M. Johnson.

Session 1: Author Spotlight Interview with George M. Johnson

George M. Johnson (they/them) is an Emmy nominated, award-winning, and bestselling Black nonbinary author and activist. Their debut memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, was a New York Times bestseller and garnered many accolades, but it has also been attacked by censors hundreds of time since release. Their debut adult memoir, And If I Die Before I Wake, will be available in November. Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT. 50 minutes.

Session 2: Navigating the Teen Services Space in the Age of Book Challenges

Get tips about how to defend queer representation, comics, and YA in the teen space.

Includes Banned Books Week Honorary Chair Tony Weaver Jr. (Weirdo) and frequently challenged author Patricia McCormick (Sold).

Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT. 50 minutes.

Session 3: Challenges in School Libraries

Learn how to utilize support from your colleagues, administration, and local grassroot and preexisting parent groups to defend your collection and keep books on the shelf.

Includes Banned Books Week Honorary Chair Bess Kalb (Buffalo Fluffalo series).

Time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT. 50 minutes.

Register now! Sponsored by Penguin Random House Library Marketing and Shell Education.