WHAT:
PEN America and LA County Library are teaming up to co-host Freedom to Read Student Summits for high school students during Banned Books Week 2024 at A C Bilbrew Library on Sept. 21 and West Hollywood Library on Sept. 28. These free convenings are made possible by the offices of LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, District 2, and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, District 3, with support from LA County Library Foundation.
The summits will engage students in workshops designed to counter growing threats to the freedom to read in California and nationwide. Participants will learn the latest nationwide book ban data collected by PEN America, assess emerging censorship trends, and discuss with special guests ways to effectively advocate for free expression and access to diverse literature.
Sherri L. Smith, award-winning author of Flygirl and The Blossom and the Firefly, will join as a special guest for the program at A C Bilbrew Library, and West Hollywood Drag Laureate, Pickle the Drag Queen, will speak at the West Hollywood Library program. Attendees will also hear from the Golden State Readers about how to support their #BreakTheTape campaign by wrapping their backpacks in caution tape and then posting and tagging photos on social media to spread awareness. Catered lunch will be provided and students will be treated to free books, branded swag items, and other prizes.
Students can register here for the A C Bilbrew Library program with Sherri L. Smith on Sept. 21.
Students can register here for the West Hollywood Library program with Pickle the Drag Queen on Sept. 28.
WHEN/WHERE:
A C Bilbrew Library
150 E El Segundo Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90061
Sat., Sept. 21, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PT
West Hollywood Library
625 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sat., Sept. 28, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PT
WHO:
Sherri L. Smith, author
Pickle the Drag Queen, Drag Laureate of the City of West Hollywood
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. It champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Its mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Founded in 1922, PEN America works to ensure that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, to convey information and ideas, to express their views, and to access the views, ideas, and literatures of others.
ABOUT LA COUNTY LIBRARY:
LA County Library belongs to our communities and serves as a portal to learn, grow, and succeed. Founded in 1912, it is one of the largest and most innovative library systems in the US, and was awarded the nation’s highest honor—the National Medal for Museum and Library Service—in 2023. Dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing equitable access for all through culturally responsive and dynamic collections, programs, and services, LA County Library serves 3.4 million residents across 3,000 square miles through its 86 libraries and 15-vehicle mobile fleet, including Bookmobiles, MākMō maker mobiles, Reading Machines, and outreach vehicles. To learn more, visit LACountyLibrary.org and follow @LACountyLibrary on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
ABOUT SUPERVISOR HOLLY J. MITCHELL, DISTRICT 2:
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell serves on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, where she leads with a deep understanding of the vital safety net LA County provides to millions of people and a commitment to ensuring that all residents can thrive.
Supervisor Mitchell is honored to represent the two million residents of Los Angeles County’s Second District – including the neighborhood she grew up in – Leimert Park, along with the cities of Carson, Compton, Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Los Angeles (portions), Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and a dozen unincorporated communities.
ABOUT SUPERVISOR LINDSEY HORVATH, DISTRICT 3:
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath was sworn into the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on December 5, 2022. One year later, she became the youngest-ever Chair. She is the first millennial, and currently the only renter to serve on the all-women Board, bringing a much-needed perspective to LA County leadership.
Los Angeles County’s Third District covers 446.08 square miles and stretches from the Ventura County line to Santa Monica and Hollywood to Sylmar and San Fernando. Home to over 2 million people, the Third District includes portions of 10 cities, 26 unincorporated communities, and 49 neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN STATE READERS:
The Golden State Readers are a growing network of students from across California committed to raising awareness about freedom-to-read issues nationwide. They work locally to educate, advocate, and fundraise to provide diverse and banned literature to students impacted by book bans. Their #BreakTheTape campaign calls upon students and allies across the country to wrap their backpacks in caution tape during Banned Books Week to bring attention to book bans taking place around the United States.