The final offering for OLLI’s programing in support of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Banned Books Week is a panel discussion on the ALA’s broad topic for the year “Let Books Be: Protect the Freedom to Read.” A panel representing the community’s school and public libraries and an independent bookstore will address this topic.

Panelists:

Lucy Lawrence is the Events & Communications Coordinator at Serendipity Books in Chelsea, Michigan. Lucy is originally from Florida and recently earned her MSW at the University of Michigan with a concentration in policy and political social work. She contributes to the selection of books available for purchase and to the bookstore’s full schedule of community events for all ages.

Jaclyn Martin is a middle school librarian in the Troy School District and Intellectual Freedom Chair for the Michigan Association of School Librarians. She recently finished the Law for Librarians training offered through the American Library Association.

Julianne Smith has been a librarian for over 30 years and is currently the Assistant Director of the Ypsilanti Library where her responsibilities include chairing the Request for Reconsideration Committee (material challenges) and organizing the annual Banned Books Week exhibit at YDL-Whittaker.

The discussion will be moderated by Marjorie Oliver, a member of the Banned Books Week Committee, Chair of OLLI Reads, and former community college composition and literature faculty member.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at U-M provides educational opportunities for older adults, designed by older adults. Membership is intended for all enthusiastic learners aged 50 and older, regardless of previous education or affiliation with U-M.