by Ann Kaste
Quick Summary
ITEM and the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee have been invited to exhibit and present at the upcoming Time to Thrive Summit being held in Minneapolis on May 18.
Current, future, and past ITEM Presidents Laura Gingras, Rachel Haider, and Sara Swenson, alongside Intellectual Freedom Committee Member Ann Kaste, will exhibit and present their recommendations for working with school boards when book challenges arise at the upcoming Time to Thrive Summit in Minneapolis on May 18.
A Program of the Human Rights Foundation, THRIVE was founded with the goal of building a strong network of supportive adults to ensure LGBTQ+ youth don’t simply survive, but THRIVE. The Time To Thrive Summit is a convening to build awareness and cultural competency, learn current and emerging best practices, gather resources from leading experts and organizations in the field, and connect adult allies on the ground with regional approach.
Anyone who works with and supports LGBTQ+ youth can register to attend. The cost is $100.00. View the Summit Information Page for further details.
Here is a description of the session:
Title: Libraries for All: Protecting the Right to Read
Description: The sharp increase in book challenges over the last three years has been targeted at LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. The outcome of these challenges can vary widely depending on whether or not the school has a licensed school librarian, the makeup of the school board, and the district administration’s knowledge of book selection and reconsideration policies. This session will explain the book selection and reconsideration process and guide you to become a ‘Right to Read’ advocate and ally. Resources from Unite Against Book Bans, the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and more will be shared.
