Thirteen books have been banned from Utah schools as a result of HB29, with hundreds more banned in different school districts across the state. But who is making these decisions, and on what grounds? Shouldn’t all parents have a say on what their own kids can read? And what about students’ right to read what they want? Calvin Crosby from The King’s English Bookshop moderates a panel discussion with author Rex Ogle, EveryLibrary Associate Director, Peter Bromberg, and Utah Library Association Advocacy Co-Chair Rebekah Cummings.
Participants
Peter Bromberg has over 30 years of library experience, including stints as a Teen Librarian, a Law Librarian, a public library director, and an advocate for libraries on local, state, and national levels. As Associate Director for EveryLibrary, he provides pro bono consulting to librarians, boards, associations, ballot committees, and grassroots community groups, helping them to fight censorship through the use of effective messaging and political strategies to build coalitions and community support. As Co-Chair of the Utah Library Association Advocacy Committee, and Co-Chair of Let Utah Read, he is continuing to work with legislators, Utahns, and coalition partners to oppose censorship and build support for libraries across the state.
Calvin Crosby, co-owner of Salt Lake City’s The King’s English Bookshop and Executive Director of Brain Food Books, a 501c3 putting new books into the hands of those without regular access, has been building community in bookselling for 30 years. He is a Book Industry Charitable Foundation Executive Board Member, a 20222 Duende-Word BIPOC Leadership Award winner, and a juror for the 2023 National Book Award Foundation’s Fiction Category. Calvin was honored as the 2023 University of Utah’s Native Excellence Community Partner. His commitment to building equity around books and reading in communities without libraries, bookstores, or consistent access has been a lifelong mission. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, he believes in Land Back one Independent Bookstore at a time.
Rebekah Cummings is the Director of Digital Matters at the University of Utah Marriott Library where she coordinates digital humanities research, teaching, and support. An accomplished librarian and educator, Rebekah is former President of the Utah Library Association, a founding member of the Let Utah Read coalition, and Co-Chair of the Utah Library Association Advocacy Committee. For her efforts against book banning and censorship, Rebekah and her advocacy partners have received the 2019 American Library Association Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Award, 2021 Utah Library Association Legislative Award for Excellence in Political Affairs and Library Advocacy, 2023 ACLU Utah Torch of Freedom Award, and 2024 Utah Library Association President’s Award. Rebekah lives in Sugar House with her husband Robert, their three children, and rescue dog Stan.
