“Where Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice Meet: A Call to Action” a free, virtual symposium

Chicago, IL

June 3, 2022

Registration has closed as we reached (virtual) seating capacity.  Please visit the site for ongoing opportunities.

Freedom to Read Foundation to Host Virtual Symposium “Where Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice Meet: A Call to Action,” July 12 and 13, 2022

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) invites all library workers, educators, authors, journalists, publishers, social justice workers and First Amendment advocates to attend and participate in its free virtual symposium, Where Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice Meet: A Call to Action to be held on on July 12 and 13, 2022.  The symposium will take place from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM Eastern / 11:00 AM-3:00 PM Central on both days.

Sofia Leung, a librarian, facilitator, and educator will provide the opening keynote presentation on day one. Leung is a first-generation Chinese American focused on building community among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in libraries and beyond. She is a founding editor at up//root: a we here publication and the co-editor with Jorge López-McKnight of Knowledge Justice: Disrupting Library and Information Studies Through Critical Race Theory. You can find more of her work here: https://www.sofiayleung.com/

The agenda for day one will focus on exploring the core values  of Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice and how to find the balance between them. Panelists will address essential topics such as library policies, intellectual freedom and community values, alternatives to neutrality, and challenges facing the library community. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions of the panelists and engage in both small-group and large-group discussions.

Day two will focus on empowering participants to take action. Panelists will draw on their knowledge and experience to offer strategies for community change, building consensus, developing strong policies, and building coalitions and public outreach.  Participants will be invited to participate in breakout groups to plan specific strategies to shift narratives and communicate the ways in which social justice and intellectual freedom support one another.

A special edition of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom & Privacy,  Social Justice and Intellectual Freedom: Working within a Divided Nation will collect papers addressing the intersection of intellectual freedom and social justice,  the challenges arising from their interaction, and ways to forge a deeper understanding of how they support and enhance one another. The call for papers is now open and provides deadlines for submitting papers and commentary. 

The Freedom to Read Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association that is dedicated to protecting and defending each person’s First Amendment right to read and the right of library workers to serve the information needs of their community. Since 1969 FTRF trustees, staff, and members have worked to protect First Amendment rights through education, litigation, and advocacy.

Online registration is open for the symposium via this link. Those interested in attending can also inquire about registration by sending an email to ftrf@ala.org. 

The Freedom to Read Foundation adheres to the following ALA commitment: 

ALA is committed to an open, inclusive, and collaborative environment. ALA members do not tolerate harassment in any form. We are colleagues and we treat each other with respect. The goal of this Code of Conduct is to establish a culture of professional, courteous, respectful, and inclusive communication among all participants at the symposium.