Banned Books & Libraries Under Attack Conference

Freedom to Learn Advocates (FTLA) and CSU|LAW invite you to a day dedicated to protecting intellectual freedom. The conference will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 9:00am - 2:00pm EST with a reception to follow immediately afterward from 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST.

This conference aims to address critical issues surrounding book banning and First Amendment rights in the United States. The sessions will foster dialogue, raise awareness, and explore actionable steps to protect intellectual freedom.

This event offers you the chance to engage with leading voices, learn effective legal strategies, and discuss how to combat book bans in your community. Whether you’re a lawyer, law student, educator, or community advocate, this is your opportunity to connect with experts and take meaningful action.

Attendance at the conference is an Ohio CLE accredited activity.

Speakers & Panelists:

• Dan Novack (Keynote) - A distinguished First Amendment attorney and Vice President at Penguin Random House. Dan leads the defense against book bans across the country. As a founding member of Penguin Random House’s Intellectual Freedom Task Force, Dan is a pivotal figure in protecting free speech rights. His work, featured in the Hollywood Reporter and The Atlantic, and his podcast “SLANDERTOWN,” where he humorously explores legal controversies, make him a leading voice against censorship.

• Deborah Caldwell Stone - Director, American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom
• Skip Dye - Vice President, Library Sales at Penguin Random House & Founding Chairman of Penguin Random House’s Intellectual Freedom Task Force
• Leila Green Little - A rural mom and intellectual freedom advocate who has been fighting against censorship in her local public library system in Texas since 2021. She is the plaintiff in Leila Green Little, et al. v. Llano County, et al., a lawsuit filed by several citizens of Llano County, Texas, to challenge the Llano County government’s decision to remove a large number of books from the Llano County Library shelves because certain library users, county residents, and county officials complained that the books' contents were objectionable.
• Katie Paris – Founder, Red Wine & Blue
• Katie Schwartzmann - Director, Tulane Law School's First Amendment Clinic

JOIN THE FIGHT: OUR NATION’S EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS NEED YOUR HELP

Educators and librarians in this country are under attack by extremists who believe in restricting free access to information. People from diverse backgrounds and who are part of marginalized identities are among the most vulnerable to these legislative restrictions. If you believe that all Americans have the right to access books & information, join us to learn about the current state of book banning and censorship, the fundamentals of free speech and First Amendment challenges, hear testimony from those on the front line of these legal battles, and ways the legal community can work to combat this discriminatory legislation.

Our children and communities deserve the freedom to learn.

Freedom to Learn Advocates is committed to ensuring that everyone has the right to access information and ideas. We lead the fight against censorship and book banning nationwide, and this event, co-hosted with the Cleveland State University College of Law—a top institution known for its commitment to excellence and social justice—highlights the importance of this cause. Together, we’re bringing together top minds in law, education, and community organizing to tackle these urgent issues.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cleveland State University College of Law Moot Court Room, 1801 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, United States