Here’s your daily list of must-do events at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas!

Saturday, June 28

Read A Banned Book at the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out

When: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Where: right outside the Exhibit Hall
Who: You!
Why me?: On Saturday and Sunday, SAGE and OIF invite you to the Banned Books Readout Booth, where you can read a short passage from your favorite banned book and then speak from the heart about why that book matters to you. Readings will be video recorded and will be featured on the Banned Books Week YouTube channel during Banned Books Week, September 21-27, 2014. We strongly encourage you to bring your own copy of the book, but some books will be available for your reading.

Intellectual Freedom Committee meetings III & IV

When: 8:30-10:00 a.m. & 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: LVCC – N117
Who: Members of the IFC, liaisons & interested guests
Why me?: Participate in ongoing discussions about the revisions to interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights and talk about the IF challenges of the day

Intellectual Freedom Round Table Awards Reception

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: LVH – Conference Room 08
Who: June Pinnell-Stephens will receive the Oboler Award for her book, Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your Public Library: Scenarios from the Front Lines.  The New Jersey Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee will receive the Gerald Hodges Award for their decades of work promoting and defending intellectual freedom.
Why me?: Mix & mingle & support these deserving award winners!

Intellectual Freedom Round Table Program: Intellectual Freedom and the Defense of Graphic Novels and Comic Books

When: 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Where: LVCC – N240
Who: Charles Brownstein, executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, will discuss the organization’s activities in defense of comic book creators, sellers, lenders, educators and readers. CBLDF is debuting their Banned Books Week Handout at this conference; check out the PDF here.
Why me?: The theme of Banned Books Week this year is banned and challenged comics and graphic novels. A great opportunity to learn how comics are being challenged and defended in library collections and elsewhere. Maybe you’ll get a great idea for a Banned Books Week program!

IFC/FTRF Issues Briefing Session

When: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: LVCC – N109
Who: Leaders of the Intellectual Freedom Committee and the Freedom to Read Foundation will discuss key issues and litigation affecting access to information, the First Amendment, and libraries.
Why me?: Come to discuss your thoughts on the proposed revisions to the Library Bill of Rights interpretations and learn about some of the Hot Topics in IF.