The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is excited to announce its plans for the 2011 American Library Association Annual Conference, taking place this weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana! You’ll find CBLDF at booth 1749 in the Graphic Novel Pavilion throughout the weekend!
As part of our ongoing educational programming and outreach into the Library community, the CBLDF has planned a number of exciting programs throughout the weekend.
On Friday night, during the Exhibits Opening Reception from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., we will be kicking off the conference weekend in the Graphic Novel Pavilion with an incredible Live Art event, co-sponsored by First Second Books and hosted by First Second Editorial Director and Cartoonist Marc Seigel. Artists will include Dave Roman (Astronaut Elementary), Raina Telgemeier (The Babysitters Club), Jim Ottaviani (Feynman), Ben Hatke (Zita the Spacegirl), and Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle). These talented and popular cartoonists will be drawing onstage, and the artwork created will be available for bidding in a silent auction throughout the event, with all proceeds supporting the CBLDF.
Over the course of the weekend, we will be accepting donations at our booth in exchange for several exciting premiums, including a brand new Babymouse print by creators Jennifer and Matthew Holm. On Saturday afternoon, starting at 1:00 p.m., Jennifer L. Holm will be signing these one-of-a-kind prints at our booth, and they will be offered as an incentive to join the CBLDF at our $25 membership level. We will also have a number of other signed prints, signed books, and t-shirts, all available as donation incentives, and benefiting our ongoing First Amendment legal work.
Another exciting CBLDF program will be ongoing testimonial interviews throughout the conference. We invite all participants who have encountered challenges to Free Speech to tell their story and have it documented in our video archives. We also invite participants to discuss their involvement with Graphic Novels and Comics, as this singular art form has risen in popularity over the past several years.
These testimonials will be used as part of an educational video series, and the participation of librarians is key to making this project informative and genuine. With actual testimonials from working librarians, who are fighting for free expression in towns and cities across the country, we can create a resource that will show the good work being done in our nation’s libraries, and present a living document of First Amendment advocacy for years to come.
The CBLDF is incredibly proud to be involved with this year’s American Library Association Annual Conference. Librarians have always been on the front lines in the fight for Free Speech, and we look forward to continuing that important fight together!
Find CBLDF at at booth 1749 in the Graphic Novel Pavilion during the ALA Annual Conference, taking place this weekend at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana!
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