Reading is a foundational skill, critical to future learning and to exercising our democratic freedoms. Intellectual freedom is the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Today, this freedom to read is threatened by organized movements seeking to bring national culture wars to local library and bookstore shelves. Our panelists believe we can trust individuals to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. Join us for a friendly conversation on a timely topic.
PANEL:
Martin Garnar is a South Hadley resident, the Director of the Amherst College Library, and is the editor of the most recent Intellectual Freedom Manual published by the American Library Association.
Joan Grenier is the Owner and President of the Odyssey Bookshop, a locally owned independent bookshop celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
Erin Pronovost is the Librarian at South Hadley High School.
Joe Rodio is the Director of the South Hadley Public Library and Past-President of the Massachusetts Library System.
