As part of a collaborative effort between Drake University and local Des Moines organizations to observe Banned Books Week on October 5–11, Drake University’s Cowles Library and School of Education will present two sessions that highlight and celebrate intellectual freedom. Here is a preview of the week’s events, hosted at Drake University.
Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m. — Screening of The Librarians, Varsity Theater
The events at Drake University kick off with a showing of the documentary The Librarians at the Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th Street. The film showcases the vital role librarians play as defenders of democracy and First Amendment rights, focusing on the growing wave of censorship across the U.S. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Panelists include: Amanda Jones (featured in the film, and featured speaker on October 8), Sam Helmick (American Library Association President & Access Services Coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library), Sara Hayden Parris (Annie’s Foundation founder and president), Melissa Peterson (Iowa State Education Association), and Alicia Mangin (Des Moines Public Library, East Side Manager). Tickets for the film are $12 for a standard ticket, $9 for students and seniors, and $7 for Varsity Cinema members.
Wednesday, October 8, at 7 p.m. — Fireside Chat with Amanda Jones
The events continue at Drake University with a fireside chat featuring activist, author, and librarian Amanda Jones. Known for her book That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America, Jones will discuss the importance of diverse library collections and the pushback librarians face. The event will be moderated by current American Library Association president, Sam Helmick, and take place in Parents Hall at the Olmsted Center on Drake’s campus at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Interested attendees can register here.
“We are proud to host Banned Books Week at Drake University, where intellectual freedom is a core tenet,” said Teri Koch, dean of Cowles Library at Drake University. “These events are an opportunity for our community to come together to not only address the issue of censorship but also to celebrate the amazing history of books and the ideas they hold. We believe that a well-read and informed populace is the cornerstone of a democratic society.”
The events are presented by Drake’s Cowles Library, the Slay Fund for Social Justice, the Deming Initiative, the Drake School of Education, and the Drake Office of Equity and Inclusion. The event is being promoted by Des Moines Public Library as part of its “Fall Author Series.” For more information and to register for the free events, visit the official event page.