News You Can Use: Intellectual Freedom and the Law: Obscenity, Minors' Rights, and First Amendment Audits Redux

Across the country there has been an overwhelming increase in the number of books challenged and banned in schools and libraries, often based on a claim that the books are obscene or "harmful to minors." In some communities, libraries and library workers have even faced criminal complaints for providing young people access to diverse books addressing racism, gender, and the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQIA persons. But are these claims accurate? This program will explore the current case law addressing obscenity, constitutionally protected speech, and minors' rights to receive information. There will also be another opportunity to learn how you can minimize your library’s exposure to litigation if an individual claims a right to film inside the library. There will be time set aside for questions about these topics and any other questions concerning intellectual freedom, libraries, and the law.