December MLA Connect Advocacy Hour: “Book Bans: A Guide to Community Response and Action" Thursday, December 14 10:00 – 11:00 AM Join MLA on Zoom tomorrow at 10:00 AM for our December Advocacy Hour. We will welcome John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, and Barbara Simon, Senior Director of News at GLAAD, to discuss the June release of “Book Bans: A Guide to Community Response and Action". Created to help communities unite to defeat book bans and challenges predominantly facing LGBTQ-inclusive titles and books about race and racism, the guide includes tools to engage media plus step-by-step recommendations for organizing diverse community voices. Click here to view the guide (pdf).<https://assets.glaad.org/m/53362a0a022def24/original/Book-Bans-Community-Guide.pdf> There will be time for Q&A. Plan to bring your questions and join the conversation. It’s free to attend! Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfuGpqzkiEtHATQDbQbBv2AUCQQt1LUs... John Chrastka is the founder of EveryLibrary, and a long-time library trustee, supporter, and advocate. EveryLibrary helps public, school, and college libraries win funding at the ballot box, ensuring stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come. They also support grassroots groups across the country to defend and support their local library against book banning illicit political interference, and threats of closure. Barbara Simon (she/her) is Senior Director of News at GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization working to ensure accurate and inclusive representation and visibility of LGBTQ people. Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to protect all that has been accomplished and helps create a world where everyone can live the life they love. Questions? Contact MLA at (517) 394-2774 or mla@milibraries.org<mailto:mla@milibraries.org>. [cidimage002.png@01D73C4D.ABEAD040] Rachel Ash Membership and Communications Director Michigan Library Association Phone: (517) 394-2774 ext. 2 Direct: (517) 881-6652 milibraries.org rfash@milibraries.org<mailto:%0bmilibraries.org%0brfash@milibraries.org> Follow MLA on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MichiganLibraryAssociation> and Twitter<https://twitter.com/mlaoffice>!