MLA Connect Advocacy Hour: More Than Books – Why We Fight for Libraries
Thursday, June 19, 2025
10:00 - 11:00 AM
On Thursday, June 19, at 10:00 AM, join us for an Advocacy Hour on Zoom featuring Skip Dye, Chair of the Penguin Random House Intellectual Freedom Task Force.
Skip will talk about some of the current challenges facing libraries, from the proposed elimination of federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to the surge in book bans threatening First Amendment rights. Libraries are lifelines for millions, yet with IMLS on the chopping block and censorship escalating, advocacy is critical. Skip will share inspiration and strategies to sustain momentum, defend librarians, and amplify libraries’ proven impact.
This event is free, but registration is required. Click below to secure your spot.
Speaker
 Skip Dye
Penguin Random House
Skip Dye is SVP, Library Sales, and Digital Strategy at Penguin Random House (PRH) and currently serves as Chairperson, PRH Intellectual Freedom Task Force, where he leads initiatives to champion freedom of expression and support libraries nationwide. Skip has been at PRH for over 29 years and is deeply committed to advocating for library funding and First Amendment rights. He is an active member of the Freedom to Read Foundation, Chair, American Library Association Public Partner Program Steering Committee, and a past-President and current board member of United for Libraries. Skip has participated in many webinars and conferences discussing and advising on First Amendment issues and on advocacy for library funding. This past Fall Skip was named Publisher’s Weekly Notable Person. In June, the American Library Association is set to confer an honorary lifetime membership, its highest honor, upon Skip Dye for his longstanding support to America's libraries and to intellectual freedom. He is a proud board member of the Friends of Lewes Public Library in Lewes, DE (the first town in the first state).
Advocacy Hour conversations are always free to attend but registration is required.
MLA Connect Advocacy Hours are an opportunity for the library community to learn more about MLA's advocacy and legislative priorities including funding, elections, property taxes, literacy, internet access, privacy, intellectual freedom, and more. Each month, we will address a new topic and share any pending legislation introduced in the House or Senate that could impact the Michigan library community. Open discussion and Q & A will follow the interview-style agenda.
Monthly sessions will take place generally on the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. Advocacy Hours are free to attend to anyone interested in joining the conversation! A maximum of 500 attendees can join each live event. Registered attendees will receive information and a link to access the meetings on the Zoom platform.
Please note recordings of all MLA Advocacy Hours are available to watch for free and on-demand at MLA Connect On-Demand.
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