Many of the books we have come to regard as classics were banned at various times and in various places in the United States due to their content. Now, modern books addressing topics like race and LGBTQ identities, such as The Hate U Give, Gender Queer, and All Boys Aren't Blue, are facing the same challenges.

Book banning is a powerful form of censorship, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent, according to the American Library Association. This rise in book bans particularly impacts authors of color and LGBTQ+ authors, whose works are significantly more likely to be challenged. This live panel will discuss the history of book bans, as well as the disproportionate effects they have on marginalized communities. Panelists include: 

• Calvin Eaton, Founder/CEO at 540WMain
• Alex Sanchez, Author (Rainbow Boys, You Brought Me the Ocean, and others)
• Francesca Padilla, Author (What's Coming to Me)
• Beth Merkle, Immediate Past-President, New York Library Association
• Katherine Hammill, School Library System Director at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES
• Cody Miller, Assistant Professor, SUNY Brockport

This event is sponsored in collaboration with 540WMain, Inc (540westmain.org) and Writers & Books (wab.org). Hipocampo Books will be on site during the event selling books by panelists Alex Sanchez, Francesca Padilla, and Calvin Eaton.

Registration is required. Please sign up here: https://hpl.libcal.com/event/9819803

If you need ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreting, please check the box on our registration form. Given 48 hours notice, we are able to provide ASL interpreting services for our programs. Please contact Sarah Dennison (sarah.dennison@libraryweb.org) for further information.