Public libraries have long been held up as pillars of free speech. They're also getting caught in the crossfire of America’s culture wars. Initiatives to take controversial books off library shelves aren’t new to Ohio, but recent years have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of titles under fire, according to the American Library Association. This expert panel unpacks efforts to preserve intellectual freedom in America’s public libraries.

The panelists are 

Matthew Besser, Principal, Bolek Besser Glesius  

Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council 

Patrick Losinski, CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Library 

Felton Thomas Jr., Executive Director and CEO, The Cleveland Public Library 

The host is David Weaver, Executive Director, Ohioana Library Association.

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Foundation and supported by The Grange Insurance Audubon Center. The livestream was presented by The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation and The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was recorded before a live audience in Columbus, Ohio on July 26, 2023.