Using applicable library ethics and law as a foundation, this practical and action-oriented session will work through the roles, responsibilities, and possible tactics of every person working at and supporting a library when a community needs to weather a content challenge, protest, and/or obscenity charges based on materials in their collection.

90 minutes, 30 of which are reserved for participant questions. Additional time is allotted in case the question and answer period runs over.

Attendees will receive a summary chart and template response plan to help a library facing a challenge assess and organize the possible response roles, responsibilities, and tactics to use for response.

We invite you to submit a question for Cole - there will be a place to do that during the registration process. The deadline to submit questions is November 24th.

Stephanie "Cole" Adams, is the WNYLRC "Ask the Lawyer" attorney; the service includes availability of input on challenge and protest response. Cole is a trustee of the Freedom to Read Foundation, with operates in conjunction with the ALA's Merritt Fund to provide aid to library professionals impacted by content challenges. Her law practice includes first amendment and information access issues. During her time as in-house counsel at Niagara University, she was trained in both crisis communications and emergency response, and routinely addressed issues of academic and intellectual freedom. Also of relevance for this session: during both law school and undergrad, Cole was an intern at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, an organization formed to provide immediate assistance to comic book retailers, publishers, and artists impacted by content concerns.

Free to ESLN Members. Registration is required.
Please note that this webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be sent to all registrants regardless of attendance. However, you must attend live to receive a certificate.

All live attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for an hour and a half of CE or CTLE credit.

Live transcription and closed captioning will be provided via Otter.ai.

We are committed to offering inclusive, diverse, and equitable services to all of our members. To request specific accommodations, please contact Caitlin Kenney (ckenney@wnylrc.org) at least five business days ahead of the event.

If you have any questions, contact Caitlin Kenney (ckenney@wnylrc.org) or Sheryl Knab (sknab@wnylrc.org).