Peter Bromberg and Tasslyn Magnusson
Literacy advocates who oppose censorship guest on Expanding Frontiers with Erica Lukes
Utah HB29, sponsored by Rep. Ken Ivory and signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox, expands upon previous legislation that allowed the challenging of “sensitive materials” in schools. Since the bill was enacted, 13 books have been automatically banned from select school districts with more expected to follow.
In Florida, some 566 books were banned during the 2022 school year under ambiguous legislation. While lawsuits brought on by civil liberties advocates resulted, Florida's politically embroiled New College was recently documented filling dumpsters with hundreds of books on sexuality, feminism and race.
Host Erica Lukes welcomes activists Peter Bromberg and Tasslyn Magnusson, PhD, to discuss the dangers of banning books in Utah and across the nation. Peter Bromberg is the former Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Public Library and holds multiple key positions with nonprofit groups promoting literacy, advancing human rights and opposing censorship, including EveryLibrary and Let Utah Read. He consults on issues concerning libraries, educators and related legislation.
Tasslyn Magnusson, PhD, is a writer and program consultant with Freedom to Read at PEN America. She researches censorship attempts in K-12 libraries, and supports PEN America’s work in creating resources to support authors whose work is targeted.