State Library Victoria

America has seen an alarming rise in censorship, impacting the way people can access information through school and public libraries. Book bans that remove marginalised voices from the shelves are a particular flash point. Join us to explore the role of libraries in responding to censorship and the power of books in challenging ideas, combatting mistrust and developing literacy. Tracie D. Hall is the former executive director of the American Library Association and a fierce advocate for the right to read freely. Tracie has been at the forefront of challenging the rampant censorship and book bans in the US, seeing firsthand the larger societal impacts it has. In our inaugural For Future Reference lecture, Tracie will address why books, libraries and the very act of reading have come under scrutiny in this current socio-political moment and how what is happening now connects to other attempts to limit reading and information access across history. The beginning of the evening will also include an opportunity to view rare books acquired through the Library’s Women Writers Fund initiative. Book your spot now. This event will be Auslan interpreted. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening.