Program Presented by

League of Women Voters of Alabama

and

League of Women Voters of Greater Tuscaloosa

Thursday October 9. 2025

6:00 pm CT

Virtual Session Offered Via Zoom

On Thursday, October 9, at 6:00 p.m. (CT), in commemoration of Banned Books Week, the League of Women Voters of Alabama and the League of Women Voters of Greater Tuscaloosa are cohosting a panel discussion titled  "Empty Shelves: When Books Disappear From Our Library".

The forum will examine current issues related to book banning and censorship in Alabama.  Discussion will underscore the harmful, long-lasting impacts of removing books from library shelves to censor information about the problematic history of the United States of America.  A superb panel of subject matter experts will share strategies and ideas for concerned citizens who want to fight these activities in their local communities.

The panel will be moderated by LWVAL President, Kim Bailey. 

Panelists include:

Amber Frey is the Director of Member Services with Read Freely Alabama. Read Freely Alabama is a “volunteer group of concerned citizens who oppose censorship in our local libraries. Read Freely Alabama serves as a state-wide resource hub for local chapters and affiliated groups fighting censorship.”

Jessica Hayes holds a leadership role on the Executive Committee with the Alabama Library Association and Librarian III/Head Public Services with Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Library. Jessica has served on the editorial board of The Alabama Librarian and as President of the Board of the Hueytown Public Library.

Laura Pitts is one of the member leaders with the American Library Association, a Law for Librarians trainer and presenter.  Laura’s doctoral research is in intellectual freedom. Laura has served as the Library Director for the Scottsboro Public Library in Scottsboro, Alabama, served on the Alabama Author's Awards Committee, and is the recipient of the 2016 Alabama Library Association's Award for Distinguished Service. Laura has an MLIS from The University of Alabama, a MA in English from The University of Alabama Birmingham and a BA in Journalism and English from The University of Alabama.