Exploring censorship, intellectual freedom, and the fight for open access.
Censorship can be a positive device used to guard national security secrets, block access of young people to pornography, and prevent a person from inciting others to commit a hate crime. However, most of the time, censorship is counterproductive and violates tenets of constitutional democracies which protect freedom of the press and guards us against “the retrogradation of reason and information” (Thomas Jefferson). In this presentation, Roger Sabbadini, Emeritus Professor at San Diego State University, will discuss how banning and confiscating books, and even burning them, are harmful ways of trying to control ideas.
Joining him is Emily O’Neal, Technical Services Manager at the Deschutes Public Library, who will dive into the principles of Intellectual Freedom, what censorship looks like in today’s libraries, and how it affects communities. She’ll highlight the rise in book challenges and offer ways for community members to stand up for open access to information.
About the Presenters:
Roger Sabbadini is an Emeritus Professor at San Diego State University and co-founder of SDSU’s Institute for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He published his first book in 2017 titled Unavoidable Hope: A Jewish Soldier’s Fight to Save His Family from Fascism. Currently, Roger Sabbadini lives in Bend, Oregon.
Emily O’Neal has been a champion supporter of intellectual freedom, supporting libraries against book challenges across the state including drafting written statements, attending board meetings and speaking out in support of intellectual freedom, as well as offering trainings to school and library districts, at library conferences, and within a variety of community organizations. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Librarian of the Year award by the Oregon Library Association. When not championing for intellectual freedom rights, Emily enjoys teaching dance or spending time outdoors hiking, snowboarding, rock climbing and paddle boarding with her husband and two dogs.
Questions? Contact beccar@dpls.lib.or.us
AGE GROUP: | Adult |
EVENT TYPE: | Adult Program |
The East Bend Library opened its doors in 2011 and is the newest addition to the Deschutes Public Library System.
