Presenter: Name: Kathy Lester

Title: Adjunct Faculty
Organization/School: Wayne State University

Program Description
The American Library Association has initiated a program titled Law for Librarians (L4L). Kathy Lester and Molly Dettmann were members of the first cohort of trainees. They attended a 2-day training in Chicago in May, 2024 in Chicago with the goal of learning how to train others in Law for Librarians (L4L) concepts including First Amendment rights of library patrons including students in a school setting. In this session, co-presenters, Kathy and Molly, will focus on First Amendment rights in school libraries and specifically the first amendment rights of students. They will discuss basics about legal definitions, legal precedents and historical cases affecting first amendment rights in schools. They will also provide an overview of more recent and current cases nationwide that are affecting intellectual freedom in schools. They will provide time throughout the session for attendees to discuss the concepts and how this knowledge will support their defense of intellectual freedom. There will be time at the end of the session for questions and answers. The co-presenters will also provide a handout of supporting resources as well as their contact information for any follow-up.

Learning Objectives
Attendees will:
>Learn legal definitions of terms used in defending intellectual freedom in schools
>Gain an understanding of legal precedence and historical cases affecting students’ first amendment rights in schools
>Learn about recent court cases affecting affecting schools and students’ first amendment rights and their status
>Have an opportunity to discuss legal definitions, concepts, and state laws with others
>Have an opportunity to ask questions about defending intellectual freedom in their schools
>Leave the session with information as well as a handout with supporting resources

Program Outline
Law for Librarians: First Amendment and Your Library
I. Introductions
II. Legal definitions of terms used in defending intellectual freedom in schools
III. Legal precedents : cases affecting schools and students’ first amendment rights
A. Turn and talk: how do these concepts affect your work?
IV. Examples of state laws affecting school libraries
A Turn and talk: what are some laws affecting your work in your state?
V. Current legal cases affecting schools and students’ first amendment rights and their status
VI. Questions and answers
VII. Summary
A. Information about handout & resources
B. Contact information for any follow-up questions or thoughts
Law for Librarians: First Amendment and Your Library

Grade Level: Not grade specific

Session Strand: Leadership & Advocacy

Presenter
Kathy Lester

Kathy Lester is an adjunct instructor in Wayne State University’s - School of Information Science specializing in School and Youth Librarianship. She is also School Library Consultant for Kent Intermediate School District and has more than 23 years of experience as a Teacher Librarian. She is a Past-President of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) as well as Past-President of the Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL). She is currently MASL Advocacy Co-Chair and has been involved in School Library legislation and advocacy for more than 10 years. She has presented at numerous national, state, and local conferences and has served on many national, state, and local education, technology, and library-related committees. More details can be found at: https://kathylester.weebly.com/.

Molly Dettmann

Molly Dettmann is a Teacher Librarian at Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma where she was the teacher of the year in 2021-2022. She has served as the Chair for the Oklahoma School Librarians and was named the Oklahoma School Librarian of the Year in 2023 and was winner of the 2023 AASL Frances Henne Award. Molly loves reading with her dog, Coco.


Description: In this session, two ALA Law for Librarian (L4L) trainees will discuss the details of the first amendment and school libraries and how it is embedded in our work with students. Learn about legal precedence, recent legal cases affecting school libraries, and get your questions answered to help defend intellectual freedom and protect the first amendment rights of the community you serve.