[Libs-Or] Free Learning Opportunity: Defending the Freedom to Read: A Virtual Event with Author Jarrett Dapier - Freedom to Read Foundation

[Emily O'Neal]

Hello all,
On behalf of the Freedom to Read Foundation, Communications Committee, I’d love to share the following free learning opportunity: Defending the Freedom to Read: A Virtual Event with Author Jarrett Dapier - Freedom to Read Foundation<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ftrf.org_news_719720_Defending-2Dthe-2DFreedom-2Dto-2DRead-2DA-2DVirtual-2DEvent-2Dwith-2DAuthor-2DJarrett-2DDapier.htm&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=0W2uPBXtbzAEznldkACYo6UCYn_ZuxYGGdzqDeDKtA4&m=oyDLuB11jrt5YoMPIWJv7sQauxJCb5ascCXbjkRlkj2hcEl6OMr0ed5V1cITlyuP&s=_cnTIB_aKGQWw6_QgzKrpa9dnQEV9Zxc70Iht00Ewr4&e=>, February 18, 2026.

Defending the Freedom to Read:
A Virtual Event with Author Jarrett Dapier

Wednesday, February 18, 2026,
11 AM Hawaii /12 PM Alaska /1 PM PST / 2 PM MST / 3PM CTS / 4PM EST

You’re invited! Join the Freedom to Read Foundation for a timely and powerful conversation about book bans, intellectual freedom, and why the right to read matters now more than ever.
Award-winning Author and Librarian Jarrett Dapier - whose upcoming graphic novel Wake Now in the Fire<https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/786824/wake-now-in-the-fire-by-jarrett-dapier-and-aj-dungo/>, is inspired by real-life student activism against censorship - will be in conversation with Educator and Organizer Nora Flanagan. The event will be moderated by Joyce McIntosh of the Freedom to Read Foundation.
Together, the panel will explore what happens when books are challenged, how censorship impacts young readers and communities, and the vital role librarians, educators, publishers, and advocates play in defending access to information. The discussion will also spotlight the real students and organizers who have pushed back against book bans - and what we can learn from their courage. The event will end with a time for Q&A.
As a long-standing supporter of the Freedom to Read Foundation, Penguin Random House is committed to standing against book bans and censorship in all their forms. We believe that stories foster empathy, understanding, and connection, and that every reader deserves the freedom to choose books that reflect their lives, challenge their thinking, and expand their world. Supporting readers means protecting the books that help them feel seen, heard, and empowered.

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit legal and educational organization that is dedicated to protecting and defending each person’s First Amendment right to read and the right of library workers to serve the information needs of their community. Since 1969 FTRF trustees, staff, and members have worked to protect First Amendment rights through education, litigation, and advocacy. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit <https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2H9yC0R9pAT2BjvPJS2ivH9yuwE?domain=ftrf.org> https://www.ftrf.org<https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2H9yC0R9pAT2BjvPJS2ivH9yuwE?domain=ftrf.org>.

Register for Defending the Freedom to Read virtual event at this link. <https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DLWSSiw_TDuWE69JB1fHEA?_gl=1*1s7i3ke*_gcl_au*NDkxOTQzNDk3LjE3NjUzODU0NTE.*_ga*MTM3NTg1NzE4Mi4xNzQxMjk0ODM2*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3NzAxMjk4MTEkbzQyJGcxJHQxNzcwMTI5ODMzJGozOCRsMCRoMA..> Attendance is free.

About the panelists:
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Jarrett Dapier is a Chicago-area librarian and the recipient of the John Phillip Imroth Award from the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Round Table for his work exposing book censorship in the Chicago Public Schools. He has served as a trustee with the Freedom to Read Foundation and he is the author of several award-winning picture books for children, one of which has faced several censorship attempts.

Nora Flanagan taught high school English in Chicago for 25 years and has researched and organized against racism for longer than that. Recent efforts have included speaking to government agencies, teachers’ unions, faculties and administrations, community organizations, faith groups, and media outlets about the intersection of bigotry and youth culture. She co-authored Confronting White Nationalism in Schools, a toolkit designed to help schools thoughtfully and effectively respond to incidents of racial hostility and proactively strengthen school communities. Last fall, she joined the staff of the Chicago Teachers Union as a Project Organizer, focused on developing anti-racist policy and professional development.

Joyce McIntosh is the Assistant Program Director for the Freedom to Read Foundation,  and a Program Officer with the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. Her background and education in journalism and library and information science have led her to work for newspapers, non-profits, and for the last two decades in libraries. Her work is centered on intellectual freedom education and helping library workers and community members navigate challenges through increased knowledge and tools for advocacy in their communities.

Emily O’Neal, M.L.S.
Technical Services Manager
Deschutes Public Library
601 NW Wall St., Bend OR 97703
(541) 617-7061
emilyo at deschuteslibrary.org<mailto:emilyo at deschuteslibrary.org>
http://www.deschuteslibrary.org<http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/>
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