09/30/2025
By Sara Marks
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 in O’Leary Library 222, join the FAHSS Dean’s office, the Digital Media Program, the School of Education, the English Department, and the University Library for a viewing and panel discussion of "Banned Together."
"Banned Together" is the award-winning feature film that takes an unflinching look at book banning and curriculum censorship in public schools, is available for streaming from the library’s Kanopy subscription.
This gripping documentary follows three students and their adult allies as they fight to reinstate 97 books - many of which addressed race, gender and LGBTQ+ issues - that were suddenly pulled from their school libraries in South Carolina. As the students evolve from local to national activists - meeting with bestselling/banned authors, politicians, Constitutional experts, and more - the film reveals the forces behind the accelerating wave of book bans in the United States and the harassment of educators and librarians caught in the crosshairs. You can learn more about the documentary on its webpage.
After the movie viewing, there will be a panel discussion moderated by Melissa Juchniewicz of the English Department. Panelists include:
- "Banned Together" Director and UML Professor Kate Way
- Katherine Harake from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) New Hampshire
- Deb Fowler - Executive Director of History UnErased
- New York Times Best Selling Author Malinda Lo
The week of Oct. 5 – 11 is the American Library Association’s (ALA) Banned Books Week for 2025. Banned Books Week launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. The theme for 2025 is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” You can learn more about Banned Books Week at the ALA website.
The viewing and panel discussion will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in O’Leary Library 222. It’s free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served!