ACLU hosts April 15 Banned Books Forum

A Banned Books Forum on Tuesday, April 15 at the Harvey Government Center from 7 until 9 p.m. was announced this week by the Florida Keys chapter of the Florida American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The forum is free and open to the public.

“Do you read banned books?” asked chapter President Kimberly Sloan rhetorically. “Chances are you do. For example, did you know that local Judy Blume, whose young adult fiction has been internationally acclaimed, is said to be the most banned author in American history?”

Blume will be part of the evening’s panel discussion, along with Kerri McLean, an English teacher at Key West High School and ReLeah Lent, chair of the National Council of Teachers of English Anti-Censorship committee. The topic is “Current Trends in Censorship.” Anne Rice, Monroe County Library administrator, will serve as moderator.

Lent was an English and journalism teacher before becoming a founding member of a statewide literacy project at the University of Central Florida. She is now an international consultant, writing and speaking about adolescent literacy, school leadership, and censorship. As chair of the National Council of Teachers of English’s Committee against Censorship, she continues to advocate for intellectual freedom for both teachers and students. For additional details, please visit www.releahlent.com.

The Harvey Government Center at the Old Truman School is located at 1200 Truman in Key West and is totally accessible.

For additional information, please phone Sloan at 352.870.8809.