Through the national campaign, Unite Against Book Bans, The American Library Association’s Policy Corps is actively spreading a unified message in collaboration with ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, supporting librarians in their efforts to oppose book bans. Policy Corp members are working to change the narrative around book banning as part of the UABB campaign. Find out what that impactful messaging entails and hear actionable, experienced intelligence to assist you in your community before and after the censor is at the door. Kent Oliver, Senior Fellow for ALA's Public Policy and Advocacy Office, will facilitate a discussion with Larry Neal, Policy Corps member and Michigan librarian, Joyce McIntosh from the Office for Intellectual Freedom, and the Freedom to Read Foundation (and a Michigan native!) and Amy Churchill, a Michigan library director on the front lines of book banning.
Kent Oliver
Senior Fellow, ALA Policy Corps, Public Policy and Advocacy Office
Kent Oliver is a Senior Fellow for the Public Policy and Advocacy Office of the American Library Association, involved in policy discussions related to First Amendment freedoms. In this role Kent mentors, coordinates, and partners with members of ALA’s Policy Corp to advance advocacy on fighting book bans focused on Unite Against Book Bans. Kent retired in 2022 as the Director of Nashville Public Library (NPL) where he served from 2012 – 2022. Through his leadership, NPL expanded key programs to promote early reading, adult literacy, and digital learning. In June 2017, Library Journal and Gale named NPL Library of the Year.
Larry Neal
Director, Clinton Macomb Public Library
ALA Executive Board Member, 2020-2023
Larry Neal is the director of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library, a district library serving over 185,000 residents of Clinton Township and Macomb Township in Macomb County. He has 41 years of public library experience, holds a BA in Spanish and German and an MBA from Oakland University as well as an MSI-LIS from the University of Michigan. He is a past president of the Michigan Library Association, a past president of the Public Library Association, and a Library Journal Mover & Shaker. He just completed a 3-year term on the Executive Board of the American Library Association and is a Policy Corps Fellow for the ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office.
Joyce McIntosh
Assistant Program Director, Freedom to Read Foundation
Joyce is the Assistant Program Director for the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF). With FTRF and the American Library Association her work has focused on First Amendment education and helping librarians navigate challenges. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Wayne State University and worked for the Lansing State Journal and Sierra Club Mackinac Chapter before working in libraries. Before joining FTRF, Joyce worked in a public library in reference, programming, and outreach.
Amy Churchill
Director, Lapeer District Library
Distributors may purchase multiple copies of packages to distribute to learners, and follow their progress. Bulk discounts are below.
| Quantity | Price per voucher |
|---|---|
| 1+ | $0.00 |
| October 19, 2023 |