Librarian's Initiatives Spark Student Interest in Freedom, Censorship, and Voting
Students and community members have shown keen interest in the Freedom Walk and One Book, One School initiatives at a local school. The librarian, who created the Freedom Walk program in 2023, has expanded the event to include an evening voter empowerment session. This year's One Book, One School initiative explores censorship in the digital world through Joelle Charbonneau's novel 'Verify'.
The Freedom Walk, an interactive program with five stations, educates students about their rights as readers. Topics covered include constitutional rights, censorship terms, book purchasing processes, library information policies, and engaged voting. Students have shown enthusiasm, asking insightful questions during the event.
The One Book, One School initiative, now in its second year, encourages school-wide reading and discussion of a single book. This year's choice, 'Verify' by Joelle Charbonneau, delves into censorship issues in the digital age. The program includes weekly discussion topics, an essay contest, and a panel with local officials discussing their role in protecting community access to information. The librarian also encourages colleagues to advocate for libraries' critical role in safeguarding freedom to read.
In 2024, the librarian expanded the program to include an evening event called Empowering Voters. This event focused on the importance of voting and the voter registration process. More than 50 students and community members attended, participating in a panel discussion, voter registration, and a sample voting machine demonstration.
The librarian's initiatives have successfully engaged students and community members in discussions about freedom of speech, censorship, and the importance of voting. By hosting the One Book, One School program and the Empowering Voters event, the librarian has fostered a culture of informed and engaged citizens.
