Freedom to Read - Tales from the Front Lines - Virtual

Join librarians Patty Hector and Adam Webb to hear their front-line and personal stories fighting for the freedom to read at libraries in Arkansas. 

In 2023, Patty Hector, a librarian with 40 years experience, was fired from her job as the director of the Saline County Library for refusing to censor books that were challenged by local elected officials. For her efforts to combat censorship, she was the recipient of the 2024 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity. 

As the President of Advocates for All Arkansas Libraries, Adam Webb has been at the front of the statewide battle to stop book censorship efforts, including being a plaintiff in the case suing the State of Arkansas over censorship laws. Because of his outspoken stance against censorship, Webb's library now faces a defunding campaign that, if successful, will see his budget slashed by 40 percent.

Patty and Adam will join us live via zoom to talk about their experiences with book censorship and answer questions from the audience. 

This free program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Fairfax Library.

 

If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in a County program, service, or activity, requests may be made by calling 415-473-4381 (Voice), Dial 711 for CA Relay, or by submitting a Disability Accommodation Request at least five business days in advance of the event. We will do our best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats upon request.

Si es usted una persona con una discapacidad y necesita una adaptación para participar en un programa, servicio o actividad del Condado, por favor llame a 415-473-3220 (Voz), Servicio de Retransmisión de CA 711, o presentando una Solicitud de Adaptación por Discapacidad con al menos cinco días hábiles de anticipación al evento. El Condado hará su mejor esfuerzo para satisfacer las solicitudes recibidas con menos de cinco días hábiles de antelación. Hay copias de los documentos disponibles en formatos alternativos, previa solicitud.