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Registration | Agenda at a Glance | Speakers and Panelists | Session Details | Location | Event Policies Intellectual Freedom SummitJune 10-11, 2026 Library leaders from across Michigan are invited to join us for a two-day Intellectual Freedom Summit focused on shaping the future of intellectual freedom policy, practice, and advocacy. This dynamic event is designed for passionate advocates of the right to read, offering a collaborative space for meaningful dialogue, strategic planning, and collective action to tackle the pressing challenges in intellectual freedom today. Thanks to generous support from the Mellon Foundation, your registration, accommodations, and meals at the summit will be provided at no cost to you. The event is limited to people directly associated with a library, with priority for library leaders such as directors, managers, and trustees. Attendees will be the driving force behind helping develop MLA's next chapter of intellectual freedom policy work and should be directly connected to the libraries impacted by this work. Your registration and accommodations are provided free to you courtesy of funding from the Mellon Foundation. However, there are significant costs associated with this event. If you are not able to attend, please notify MLA as soon as possible so we may offer your seat to another participant. RegisterEvent GoalsThe Intellectual Freedom Summit is centered on three key objectives:
Why Attend?The Intellectual Freedom Summit is more than just a gathering. It is a FREE opportunity to help shape the future of intellectual freedom policy in Michigan. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, new partnerships, and a roadmap for advancing intellectual freedom in their communities. In addition to policy discussions, the summit will offer hands-on sessions designed to equip attendees with the tools and strategies needed to advocate for intellectual freedom in their libraries and communities. There will be several informal networking opportunities throughout the summit to connect with colleagues from libraries across Michigan, civil liberties advocates, and other stakeholders in intellectual freedom. Join Us and Make an Impact!Don’t miss this unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of intellectual freedom in Michigan. Register today to ensure your place at the table!
RegistrationRegistration opens on Thursday, April 23, and is open to library directors, managers, and leaders interested in advocacy and shaping the future of intellectual freedom policy in Michigan. We encourage attendees to come prepared to contribute meaningfully by sharing their insights, goals, and experiences. To ensure we reach as many library systems as possible, MLA asks that each library or organization send no more than a few representatives. Register
Agenda at a GlanceSubject to change Wednesday, June 109:00 AM – Registration and Breakfast 9:30 AM – Opening Keynote 11:00 AM – Moving the Needle on Intellectual Freedom 12:00 PM – Lunch and OIF Update 1:00 PM– Breakouts 2:30 PM– Not Just Anybody: Who Is Challenging Books in Your Library? 4:15 PM – Future Drivers Lab 6:30 PM – Dine Arounds (Optional) Thursday, June 118:00 AM – Breakfast 9:00 AM – Intellectual Freedom Panel Conversation 10:15 AM – Breakouts 11:30 AM – Breakouts 12:30 PM – Lunch 1:15 PM – From Summit to Action 2:30 PM – Building a Collective Roadmap 3:25 PM – Closing Remarks
Speakers and PanelistsStay tuned for an exciting lineup of expert speakers and panelists! Announcements will be made soon, featuring thought leaders in intellectual freedom, library advocacy, and policy.
John Chrastka is co-founder and executive director of EveryLibrary, the national political action committee for libraries, and the EveryLibrary Institute, a public policy and tax policy think tank for libraries. Since 2012, EveryLibrary has supported public libraries in numerous funding negotiations, politicized challenges, and over 165 election days, winning over $2.8 billion in stable tax money for libraries. Its SaveSchoolLibraians.org campaigns help ensure the future of school library work. Their FightForTheFirst.org is a platform for anti-censorship organizing in over 145 communities. The EveryLibrary Institute supports funding-focused research and training for library leaders and outreach to the public about librarians.
Bob Devries is a lobbyist with GCSI in Lansing. He previously served 10 years as Chief of Staff to the Republican Senate Majority Leader. With extensive experience in state government, he is a recognized expert on the legislative process. Bob holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Grand Valley State University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Kristin Fontichiaro is an award-winning clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, where she studies public library leadership, strategic communication, and learning in libraries. She is the author of numerous books for librarians, educators, and youth.
beck Haberstroh (they, them) is the Senior Manager of Safety Training & Education at PEN America. In their role, they focus on developing resources, workshops, and other forms of support that meet the digital safety needs of authors, librarians, and faculty. They regularly collaborate with unions, professional associations, community groups, publishers and others to host trainings and events addressing topics such as doxing defense, peer support, and online abuse response protocols. Haberstroh’s background weaves together a passion for education, the arts, organizing and technology justice.
Sarah Lamdan is the Director at the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, and is both a librarian and a lawyer. She is originally from Kansas, where she earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law and her M.L.I.S. (with a specialty in legal information) from Emporia State University’s School of Librarian and Information Management. She has lived in New York since 2005, where she has worked as a law librarian in several international law firms, as a Help Desk developer at Bloomberg Law, and as a librarian and law professor at CUNY School of Law.
Kathy Lester is a retired certified school librarian with 23 years of experience. She is now an adjunct instructor in Wayne State University’s School of Information Science specializing in School and Youth Librarianship and a School Library Consultant for Kent ISD. She is a Past-President of both the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL). She is also a current member of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Committee on Legislation (COL) and Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE).
Tasslyn Magnusson researches censorship attempts in the K-12 libraries and creates resources to support authors whose work is targeted. Tasslyn received her BA from University of Minnesota-Morris, MA from Hamline University and a PhD in American History from Case Western Reserve University. After twenty years of work in the fundraising sector in Cleveland, California, and Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Tasslyn returned to school, receiving an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN.
Jaclyn Martin is a certified school librarian with the Troy School District. She has 14 years of experience in school libraries and 22 years overall in education. She currently serves as Intellectual Freedom Chair for the Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL). She completed her training for the ALA’s Law for Librarians program in Dec. 2025.
At the Library of Michigan, Clare Membiela helps public libraries, boards, friends, and their stakeholders navigate legal issues that impact library services. She has an M.L.S., a J.D., & over 30 years of professional library, legal research and teaching experience. Clare has presented on issues involving law and libraries for audiences at local, state and national levels.
Shannon M. Oltmann is the Associate Dean and Director of the School of Information Sciences at Wayne State University, where she is also a full Professor. Previously, Oltmann was an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the School of Information Science at the University of Kentucky. She obtained her Ph.D. from Indiana University. Oltmann’s research interests include intellectual freedom, censorship, information precarity, and qualitative research methods. She wrote the book Practicing Intellectual Freedom in Libraries and edited The Fight Against Book Bans: Perspectives from the Field. Oltmann frequently speaks to librarians and others about intellectual freedom.
Lance Werner is Executive Director of the Kent District Library (KDL), and has both a MLIS from Wayne State University as well as a juris doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law and is a member of the Michigan State Bar. Prior to joining KDL he was a library law specialist for the Library of Michigan and director of the Capital Area District Library. He has received a number of local and national awards for his outstanding career. Most recently, he was named one of the 200 most influential leaders in West Michigan by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business and received the 2023 Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Advocate of the Year Award. He was named Librarian of the Year in 2017 by the Michigan Library Association and in 2018 by Library Journal. Werner has served in several leadership positions including past president of the Michigan Library Association, chair of the MLA Legislative Committee, vice chair of the Library of Michigan Board and president of the Lakeland Library Cooperative Board.
Kyle Zawacki is the Legislative Director for the ACLU of Michigan, bringing a variety of experience in policy advocacy and civic education. Prior to joining the ACLU, he served as a Legislative Director in the Michigan House of Representatives, and spent nearly a decade as a high school social studies teacher in Michigan, specializing in U.S. Government and Civics, Ancient History, and Native American Studies. Kyle is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University's School of Education with a B.A. in Secondary Education and is completing an MSW in Policy and Political Social Work at the University of Michigan.
Session DetailsWednesday, June 10Opening Remarks: MI Right to Read9:30 – 9:45 AM
Opening Keynote9:45 – 10:45 AM Details coming soon!
Moving the Needle on Intellectual Freedom11:00 AM – 12:00 PM While most of us are familiar with intellectual freedom and the fights against censorship, we may still struggle with implementing this core value in our libraries and sharing its significance with local community members. In this talk, we will learn how intellectual freedom can combat information precarity—the systemic barriers to information access—to provide a richer framework. We will also discuss practical strategies for applying and defending intellectual freedom in day-to-day decision making. We’ve come so far in combatting censorship, so what are the next steps?
Lunch and ALA OIF Update12:00 – 1:00 PM During lunch we are excited to welcome Sarah Lamdan, director of the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) to give us an update on national legislation, and novel legal theories that are being used related to laws on policies on libraries, government speech, and intellectual freedom.
Breakout: Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Intellectual Freedom1:00 – 2:00 PM Details coming soon!
Breakout: Building a Patchwork Strategy for Intellectual Freedom1:00 – 2:00 PM This case study explores an emerging strategy led by the Freedom Collective to advance intellectual freedom protections across Michigan starting at the local level. Faced with limited momentum for statewide legislation, this approach focuses on developing a “patchwork” of local ordinances that affirm and protect intellectual freedom in libraries. These local efforts are designed not only to create immediate impact in communities, but also to build the political foundation necessary for future statewide action. By establishing visible, community-backed policies, this strategy aims to provide critical support for moderate and independent lawmakers to champion intellectual freedom legislation at the state level. Participants will learn how early outreach to library systems has informed this work, where traction is beginning to emerge, and what challenges remain. The session will also address key legal and strategic questions, such as which municipal bodies to engage, what outcomes to anticipate when pursuing local ordinances, as well as next steps.
Not Just Anybody: Who Is Challenging Books in Your Library?2:30 – 4:00 PM Explore the ways in which national interest groups identify books to challenge, train and equip people across the country to challenge books, and discuss how to recognize and prepare for this happening in your own community. Participants will learn and do hands on work exploring this topic together and leave with ways to apply the learning to their own libraries and communities.
Future Drivers Lab4:15 – 5:15 PM Throughout the summit, participants have explored today's intellectual freedom challenges through the lenses of law, policy, advocacy, technology, and practice. This session shifts the focus from understanding the current landscape to preparing for what comes next. Together we will explore the major forces likely to shape intellectual freedom in the future. Small groups will examine emerging trends, identify risks and opportunities, and develop recommendations for how libraries, partners, and statewide organizations can prepare for the future.
Dine Arounds (Optional)6:30 – 8:00 PM MLA has made several reservations at nearby restaurants for groups of 6-12 people. Some restaurants are walking distance, and some require a little bit of driving. You can sign up for your restaurant of choice ahead of the summit or at the registration table and join your group for a relaxing evening of good food and better conversation.
Thursday, June 11Intellectual Freedom Panel Conversation9:00 – 10:00 AM As intellectual freedom challenges continue to evolve across the country library leaders should understand not only the current landscape, but also the emerging ideas, legal theories, and policy approaches shaping the future of this work. This panel conversation brings together state and national thought leaders to examine the intellectual freedom landscape through the lenses of civil liberties, evolving legal doctrine, innovative legislation and policy, and other developing issues influencing libraries and access to information today. Attendees will leave with a broader understanding of the national environment, fresh perspectives on intellectual freedom advocacy, and new ideas for how stakeholders in Michigan can respond creatively, collaboratively, and proactively in the years ahead.
Breakout: Law for Librarians10:15 – 11:15 AM The Law for Librarians (L4L) initiative is an American Library Association (ALA) program designed to equip library workers with the legal foundations necessary to defend intellectual freedom, navigate censorship challenges, and protect patron privacy. In this session, two Law for Librarians trainers will present L4L information about intellectual freedom including the first amendment rights of library patrons. They will also provide an overview of some recent cases affecting intellectual freedom.
Breakout: Deconstructing the Constitutional Frameworks for Materials Review and Collection Development Policies10:15 – 11:15 AM Details coming soon!
Breakout: Working on the Front Lines: Book Bans and Librarian Safety11:30 AM – 12:30 PM “I never imagined that what’s happening right now could ever happen. It didn’t dawn on us that we would come under attack,” said one school librarian in the 2025 documentary The Librarians. Across the country and here in Michigan, librarians are on the front lines in the fight against book bans and censorship. As they uphold the freedom to read, librarians are being targeted with abuse and vitriol, including physical intimidation, death threats, smear campaigns, and doxing–the publishing of sensitive private information online. In this session, beck Haberstroh from PEN America will share an overview of common harassment tactics and how librarians have navigated an increasingly fraught climate. Through group discussion with scenarios, participants will share their insights into what has or hasn’t worked well in their library and troubleshoot strategies for resilience.
Breakout: Intellectual Freedom and the First Amendment11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Details coming soon!
Lunch Break12:30 – 1:15 PM
From Summit to Action1:15 – 2:15 PM Attendees are broken into regional groups to discuss local support networks and partnerships. Together they can create a locally focused action plan to fit within the overall framework and goals developed at the summit.
Building a Collective Roadmap2:30 – 3:15 PM As the Intellectual Freedom Summit comes to a close, this final session will bring participants back to our shared goals and challenge us to turn ideas into coordinated action. Throughout the summit, we have explored the evolving landscape of intellectual freedom from policy and practice to technology and advocacy. Now, the focus shifts to what comes next. Participants will come back together from their small groups and work together to identify priorities, name gaps, and shape a collective path forward for Michigan. Grounded in the summit’s core goals of establishing a unified policy framework, identifying gaps and opportunities, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration, this session will focus on translating discussion into direction. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of shared priorities, potential areas for statewide coordination, and how they can contribute to ongoing efforts to protect and promote the freedom to read in Michigan.
Closing Remarks3:15 – 3:25 PM
LocationAC Hotel Lansing University Area Overnight AccommodationsComplimentary overnight accommodations are available on the night of June 10 at the AC Hotel Lansing and Hyatt House Lansing, two sister properties located next to each other. Both hotels offer shared amenities and parking. You may be booked at either location. A reservation confirmation number will be sent to you prior to the event. ParkingComplimentary parking is available at both the AC Hotel and Hyatt House for MLA attendees. Detailed parking instructions will be included in your confirmation email ahead of the summit.
FundingThanks to the generous support of the Mellon Foundation, your registration, accommodations, and meals at the AC Hotel will be provided at no cost to you.
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John Chrastka
Bob Devries
Kristin Fonticharo
beck Haberstroh
Sarah Lamdan
Kathy Lester
Tasslyn Magnusson
Jaclyn Martin
Clare Membiela
Dr. Shannon Oltmann
Lance Werner
Kyle Zawacki
Uniting the Michigan Library Community
MLA is proud to partner with organizations serving the library community.
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PO Box 27337
Lansing, MI 48909
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ph: (517) 394-2774
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The Michigan Library Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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