Reading Rebellion: Defying Censorship in Children’s Picture Books

Join The New York Public Library on Chancellor’s Day for a CTLE credit-bearing experience on the importance of picture books and the fight for books for all.This professional development day aims to provide teachers, educators, and librarians valuable opportunities to access frequently banned books, learn about the history of book and curriculum bans, and engage in insightful workshops about using challenged and banned books today.

Professional Development Workshops

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend one of the following workshops. Please select one (1) ticket option during registration, which will include a total of two workshops. Registrants who reserve more than one ticket will be assigned an option based on availability.

• 50 Years of Queer Picture Books | Learn about queer picture books published over the last 50 years, how to use these books as a lens to understand history, and how new picture books contribute to the legacy of the past.
• Vibrant Voices: New Titles by Authors of Color | Explore this annual book list that contains culturally responsive book recommendations that promote discussion, expand understanding, and celebrate diverse voices from some of the characters and creators included in the list. 
• Milestones in Children’s Literature | Join this exhibition tour to discover the history of trailblazing children’s books and how authors and illustrators helped reimagine new worlds of possibility for young readers.
• Cartoneras and Counternarratives | Learn about cartoneras (handmade books made with recycled materials), their impact, and the cultural history of this book-making practice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Plus, make your own cartonera!

Eligible NY State educators can receive 5 CTLE credit hours for participating.

Space is limited! Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided for those attending.

PLUS! Protect the Freedom to Read with NYPL's Books for All Initiative.

Restrictions on the teaching of books about LGBTQ+ and Black communities are part of a wider increase in book banning and censorship across the country. The New York Public Library stands by the right to read freely. In response to the rise in book bans and challenges—particularly targeting books for young people—NYPL is partnering with the American Library Association to provide opportunities for teens across the country to access frequently banned books, participate in events, and exercise the freedom to read. Get involved with our Teen Banned Book Club today! Download our free toolkit, including downloadable flyers, book discussion guides, promotional materials, and more to help you, your schools, and your community get involved.

Guest Speakers

Tracie D. Hall is the former executive director of the American Library Association and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2023. In her role at the ALA, she advocated for digital equity, increased library funding, and supported the protection of intellectual freedom. Her famous words—“free people read freely”—highlight the role of libraries in safeguarding the right to read without censorship or restriction.

Jyoti Rajan Gopal tells stories that speak to her heart, that reflect her multiple identities, that she wishes her daughters had growing up, and that she wishes her students had now. She is a forever kindergarten teacher and the author of My Paati’s Saris, American Desi, Desert Queen, and One Sweet Song.

Jessica Anne Bratt is a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) consultant and author of Let’s Talk About Race in Storytimes, a valuable resource for library staff and caretakers interested in nurturing constructive conversations about race with young people. 

PUBLIC NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

VIRTUAL PROGRAM | The virtual program will be streamed on Zoom. You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate. Please check your email shortly before the discussion to receive the link.

This Program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave NYPL’s website and enter a website not operated by NYPL. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of every third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact with through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of NYPL's Privacy Policy describing "Third-Party Library Services Providers" at https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/legal-notices/privacy-policy. During this Program, you will be using third-party platforms such as livestream.com/schomburgcenter, for the purpose of communication. This service may collect some personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, & password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy.

AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING | Programs are photographed and recorded by the New York Public Library. Attending this event indicates your consent to being filmed/photographed and your consent to the use of your recorded image for any all purposes of the New York Public Library.

PRESS | Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to press@nypl.org. Please note that professional video recordings are prohibited without expressed consent.

ACCESSIBILITY | You may request ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing educators@nypl.org at least two weeks in advance of the event.

This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.