Banned Books & Censorship Panel Discussion

Over 80 people attended the panel discussion on the state of book bans across the country, held at the Rockridge Library with the support of FORL. Co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library and the American Association of University Women, the panelists discussed the challenges the libraries, schools, and communities face with the upsurge of book banning and censorship.

The panelists included:

• Patrick Sweeney, EveryLibrary

• Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Education

• Betsy Gomez, American Library Association

• Sam Davis, Oakland School Board

• Bamidele Agbasegbe-Demerson, African American Museum & Library at Oakland

• Sharon McKellar, Oakland Public Library Teen Services