Author Dr. Allison Matulli Highlights Public Libraries as Cornerstones of Democracy Amidst Rising Book Bans
Dr. Allison Matulli, author of the new picture book 'We Are Free: Our First Amendment Rights,' reflects on the critical role of public libraries in fostering democracy and freedom of expression, especially during Banned Books Week. Matulli, an attorney, Montessori teacher, and First Amendment fellow, shares her personal experience as a child of an immigrant mother, highlighting how public libraries provided accessible knowledge and a sense of equal ownership in democracy. She contrasts this with a private library she encountered, emphasizing that public libraries offer universal access to information. Matulli notes a concerning trend of increased attempts to restrict access to books and censor diverse perspectives, as reported by nonpartisan organizations like PEN America, placing librarians on the front lines of defending these freedoms.
