Many controversies are brewing simultaneou sly in the State of Florida over the banning of books and attacks on intel lectual freedom. Curricula is being rejected\, books are being pulled from shelves\, programs are being cancelled\, and disinformation continues to spread. Both the American Library Association and the Florida Library Asso ciation have expressed their support for diverse books and intellectual fr eedom\, prioritizing the &ldquo\;equal and equitable access for all indivi duals to a diverse library collection that does not exclude material &lsqu o\;because of the origin\, background\, or views of those contributing to their creation.&rsquo\;&rdquo\; Recently\, the Broward County Board of Com missioners passed a resolution demonstrating their commitment to academic freedom\, noting that &ldquo\;acts that undermine and erode the ability of our students to access and critically consider views and ideas from diffe rent histories and cultures also undermine the development of citizens cap able of meaningful participation in our democracy.&rdquo\; \;
\nIn an effort to translate our concern into positive action\, Broward Coun ty Libraries Division is hosting a panel discussion entitled &ldquo\;Freed om to Read: Intellectual Freedom in a Healthy Democracy.&rdquo\; Hosted by the BCL&rsquo\;s African American Research Library and Cultural Center\, the conversation will explore the history of book banning\, and the cultur al pressures that have created today&rsquo\;s climate. Most importantly\, we seek to educate and empower members of our community to understand thei r role in protecting and preserving these fundamental rights in our societ y. \;
\nThanks to a contribution from Akidsco\, free copies of two books that are being banned across the nation\, A Kids Book About Syst emic Racism by Jordan Thierry and A Kids Book About White Privilege by Ben Sand\, will be available for visitors. \;
\nPanelists: \;< /p>\n
Shane Roopnarine\, President\, Florida Library Association \;<
br />Emily J. M. Knox\, Ph.D.\, MSLIS\, Associate Professor\, School of In
formation Sciences\, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign \;
Tameka Bradley Hobbs\, Ph.D.\, Library Regional Manager\, African Americ
an Research Library and Cultural Center \;
Moderator: Allison Gru
bbs\, Director\, Broward County Library \;
About the African American Research Library and Cul
tural Center \;
The
\;Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Cente
r \;(AARLCC) \;is located in the Sistrunk community\, one of t
he oldest historically Black communities named for one of Fort Lauderdale&
rsquo\;s first Black physicians. Opening to the public on October 26\, 200
2\, AARLCC became the third public library of its kind in the United State
s dedicated to the study of Black history and culture. The 60\,000 square-
foot Center serves as a repository of materials related to the local\, nat
ional\, and international voices of the African diaspora with more than 85
\,000 books\, manuscripts\, artifacts\, framed art\, print\, photography\,
audiovisual\, and documents held in our Adult Services Section and Specia
l Collections. The Youth Services Section features a special collection of
Coretta Scott King Award books and the \;Ashley Bryan Art Collection&
nbsp\;from illustrators of African Descent. AARLCC also features a 5\,000
sq. ft. museum\, a 300-seat state-of-the-art theatre\, and a Computer Trai
ning Center.
\;
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