FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jaclyn Keegan
New York State Library Spotlights National Fight Against Book Bans With Special Screening and Expert Panel
Leading Voices to Examine the Growing Impact of Censorship on Libraries Nationwide
TheNew York State Library,State Museum, andOffice of Educational Television and Public Broadcastingare pleased to announcea distinguished panel of expertsfora timelydiscussionon the impact of book bans and censorship. The panel will follow a special screening of“The Librarians”onSaturday, April 25, beginning at2:00 p.m. at the New York State Museum’s Huxley Theater.The documentary chronicles a courageous national network of librarians confronting the accelerating wave of book restrictions reshaping library collections—and access to knowledge—across the country.
Moderated by James Paleologopoulos, Producer for WAMC/Northeast Public Radio’s On the Road,the discussionwillfeaturethe followingpanelists:
Lauren Mooreis theNew York State Librarian.In this role, she leads the Regent Joseph E. Bowman Research Library, one of the oldest and largest research libraries in the country, along with the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library and the Division of Library Development. The New York State Library provides vital support and oversight to a network of over 7,000 libraries throughout the state.
Brian JonesSenior Director of Reading and Engagement at the New York Public Library. A longtime educator, he served as the inaugural director of NYPL's Center for Educators & Schools, and as associate director of education at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He writes about Black education history and politics and is the author of two books, The Tuskegee Student Uprising: A History and Black History Is for Everyone.
ٰԲ쾱Associate Professor and Chair of the Queens College School of Information Studies at the City University of New York. Her latest book is the co-authoredOrganize Your Library! Building the Collective Power of Library Users(ALA Editions). Drabinski served as 2023-24 President of the American Library Association during a time of unprecedented, organized censorship activity. She is the recipient of multiple awards including the Publishing Triangle’s Torchbearer Award for her work in support of queer voices.
Reanna Esmailis theLeadLibrarian forInstruction at Cornell University and 2024-2025 Association for Research Libraries Leadership and Career Development Fellow and Minnesota Institutealum. She is a columnist for American Libraries magazine,member of theLibrary Freedom Project, steering committee member for Librarians and Archivists with Palestine, and a member of New York State Library’s Regents Advisory Council. Reanna previously served as a co-primary investigatoronan Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)funded grant project to create open educational resources for algorithmic literacy.
Amanda Hoffmanhas been working in libraries since the end of 2022. She started at Rockwell Falls Public Library as a library clerk and eventually became the library assistant. There, shehelped lead the library through publicreaction to a scheduled Drag Queen Story Hour.She is currently pursuing a Master's in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University's iSchool. In the future, she would like to be a programming librarian for children and/or teens in public libraries.
New York State Librarian Lauren Mooresaid, “Libraries are at the heart of a growing national conversation about access to information and the freedom to read.I’mproud to bring together a group of leaders who are not onlywitnessingthese challengesfirsthand, butactively working to address them. The New York State Library is committed to supporting local libraries and providing necessary guidance and support. This discussion will highlight the critical role libraries play in ensuring people everywhere can explore ideas, access knowledge, and engage with diverse perspectives.”
From Oscar-nominated Director and Producer Kim A. Snyder ("DeathByNumbers," “Newtown,” “Us Kids”) and Executive Producer Sarah Jessica Parker, “The Librarians” takes viewersacross the country, where local libraries have become unexpected battlegrounds in a national struggle over intellectual freedom,parental control,and democracy itself. Sparked by the controversial “Krause List,” which targets 850 books centered on race and LGBTQIA+ stories, the film takes a deep investigative dive into the escalating movement against book banning. The film captures the courage and resilience of the everyday heroes, librarians, as well as concerned parents and students flanking them, who have become first responders in the fight for the freedom to read, standing defiantly against censorship at all costs.
Guestsareinvited to tryzine-making with help from the Albany Zine Club andtake homefree event posters and bags from Circus, along with books from TheREDBookshelf.
This eventis presentedwith collaboration byITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS, and the New York State Library. The eveningwill begin withthe tabling activities, followed bya screening of the filminthe Huxley Theaterand thepanel discussion. Panelistswill discuss the challenges libraries face today, their personal experiences in the battle against censorship, and their suggestions for what libraries and their supporters can do in the continuing struggle for intellectual freedom.
About the New York State Library
ճ , established in 1818, is the largest state library system in the nation and one of the largest research libraries in North America. It oversees a vast network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide. Collections are made available onsite and through a robust interlibrary loan program. ճ Library’s mission is advanced through several key divisions, including the , which houses a collection of over 20 million items, the , and the . ճ Library preserves andmaintainsinvaluable historical collections andworks, andserves as a Regional Depository for federal publications. Additionally, the State Library is the of New York Stategovernmentpublications, ensuring their enduring preservation and accessibility for future generations.
For more information, please visit theԻ .
Media Contact
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