LOCATION: Stevenson Hall, 2nd Floor, Wentz Science Center (131 S Loomis St, Naperville, IL 60540)

Last year, the American Library Association documented hundreds of attempts to censor books at public libraries, school libraries, schools, and colleges. All told, 2452 unique titles were targeted. Meanwhile, by 2024, 29 states had adopted legislation that makes it easier to restrict young people’s access to particular books or to have those books removed from library shelves.

Join us for a Banned Books Week roundtable discussion about which books are being banned across the U.S., why this is happening, and what we can do to protect the freedom to read. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.

Panelists:  

• Michelle Boule Smith, Director of Library Services, North Central College - Oesterle Library
• Karen Toonen, Collection Services Manager, Naperville Public Library
• Audrey Barsella, Senior Communications Manager, Sourcebooks (publishers of the oft-banned This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson)
• Kathleen March, Children's Book Manager, Anderson's Bookshop Downers Grove
• Rebecca Stafford, Author of Rabbit and Juliet and Associate Professor of English, North Central College

Moderator:

• Steve Macek, Professor of Communication and Media Studies, North Central College

When: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 4:30-6:00 PM

Where: Stevenson Hall, 2nd Floor, Wentz Science Center (131 S Loomis St, Naperville, IL 60540)

Co-sponsored by: Oesterle Library, Cultural Events, NCC NOW, and several North Central College departments (Communication and Media Studies, English, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Shimer & Theatre)

For more information, contact Steve Macek at shmacek@noctrl.edu.