From The Library
'Banned Together' Viewing and Panel Discussion
Image by Banned Together movie poster
Join us October 7 for "Banned Together."
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in O’Leary Library 222 you can 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 U.S. 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, Ph.D., of the English Department. Panelists include:
- "Banned Together’s" Director and UMass Lowell Professor Kate Way
- Katherine Harake from ACLU New Hampshire
- Deb Fowler - Executive Director of History UnErased
- New York Times Best Selling Author Malinda Lo
The week of October 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, October 7, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in O’Leary Library 222. It’s free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served!
Welcome to the Library’s New Dean, Galadriel Chilton
Image by Ed Brennen
This fall marks the start of a next phase for the UMass Lowell University Library. Dean Galadriel Chilton joined us this August to lead the library through that process. She started after a library wide refresh that included moving O'Leary Library collection and services to the third and fourth floors; replacing the Lydon Library skylight and new furniture, and an updated library interface that makes navigation easier for users.
Read more about Dean Chilton’s vision for the University Library in a great article by Ed Brennen: New Library Dean Takes an Open Book Approach.