{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Preserving Intellectual Freedom in Public Libraries","description":"Public libraries have long been held up as pillars of free speech. They're also getting caught in the crossfire of America\u2019s culture wars. Initiatives to take controversial books off library shelves aren\u2019t new to Ohio, but recent years have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of titles under fire, according to the American Library Association. This expert panel unpacks efforts to preserve intellectual freedom in America\u2019s public libraries. The panelists are  Matthew Besser, Principal, Bolek Besser Glesius   Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council  Patrick Losinski, CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Library  Felton Thomas Jr., Executive Director and CEO, The Cleveland Public Library  The host is David Weaver, Executive Director, Ohioana\u202fLibrary Association. This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Foundation and supported by The Grange Insurance Audubon Center. The livestream was presented by The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation and The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience in Columbus, Ohio on July 26, 2023. ","author_name":"The Columbus Metropolitan Club","author_url":"http:\/\/columbusmetroclub.org","html":"