We invite you to join us in our immersive VR space for the Freedom to Read Rally (framevr.io/freedom-to-read), a virtual demonstration and gathering in support of intellectual freedom. The event will feature Betsy Gomez of Unite Against Book Bans (UABB), Nick Higgins, Chief Librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library, and Tom Fay, Chief Librarian of the Seattle Public Library, representing Books Unbanned. They will be joined by Dr. Anthony Chow, Director of the San José State University School of Information, and John MacLeod, Director of XR Libraries, who will help lead the rally and discussion. Together, these leaders will deliver brief talks on the urgent state of book banning today, its projected impact on communities and libraries, and strategies for resistance, followed by youth from around the country sharing how they’ve been fighting banned books in their own communities. The rally will conclude with an open discussion, giving participants an opportunity to reflect, share, and stand united in affirming the fundamental freedom to read.

Presenters:

Anthony S. Chow, PhD, is Director and Professor of the School of Information at San José State University, where he leads programs in library and information science, archives, records, and data, as well as initiatives in digital literacy, human-centered AI, and XR technologies. An award-winning scholar and leader, Dr. Chow currently serves as President-Elect of the California Library Association and Vice-President/President-Elect of the Chinese American Library Association. His research and projects focus on equity, access, and community empowerment through technology and literacy, including global partnerships, XR cultural preservation, and the development of sustainable book ecosystems.

Tom Fay, Executive Director/Chief Librarian, A native of southern Nevada, Tom Fay’s 42-year career in libraries began in 1983 as a page, and he later held roles as Executive Director of Henderson Libraries and the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Clark County Library District in Nevada. After joining The Seattle Public Library as Director of Library Programs and Services in 2015, Fay was appointed to serve as Interim Chief Librarian in 2021, and in March 2022, the Library Board voted unanimously to select Fay as the new Executive Director and Chief Librarian. Fay holds a Fine Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He has been awarded the O’Callaghan Public Sector Person of the Year and selected as Nevada’s Librarian of the Year. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter experiencing the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.

Betsy Gomez is a publishing professional with over two decades of experience as an editor, writer, designer, and project manager. She currently serves as an assistant director for the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, where she coordinates public outreach initiatives and develops digital resources to defend intellectual freedom. Betsy is also the long-time Coordinator of the Banned Books Week Coalition and previously served as Coalition and Editorial Director for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, where she collaborated with national partners to advance free expression and literacy. She is the editor of She Changed Comics, an award-winning history of women in comics, and continues to champion the freedom to read through advocacy, publications, and creative storytelling.

Nicholas Higgins is Chief Librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library, where he leads one of the nation’s largest public library systems in advancing equity, access, and lifelong learning. As the primary founder of Books Unbanned, he has championed national access to banned and challenged books, positioning libraries at the forefront of the fight for intellectual freedom. With more than a decade at BPL, he has overseen outreach services and innovative community engagement initiatives, particularly serving immigrants, youth, and justice-involved populations. Previously, he directed Correctional Services at The New York Public Library, expanding access to books and educational opportunities for incarcerated New Yorkers. A graduate of Hunter College and Pratt Institute, Nick has dedicated his career to leveraging libraries as engines of social change and advocates fiercely for the freedom to read and the essential role of libraries in democracy.

John MacLeod serves as Executive Director of XRLibraries, where he champions equitable access to cutting-edge technology by leading the installation of XR emerging technology systems and programs in underserved libraries, transforming how students experience immersive learning opportunities! John breaks down barriers between advanced XR technology and communities that need it most, creating pathways for hands-on exploration that traditional learning environments simply can't match. His dedication goes beyond just providing equipment – he builds comprehensive support systems that ensure every student can dive into virtual worlds, conduct interactive experiments, and engage with complex concepts through immersive experiences. By partnering with educational institutions and community organizations, John demonstrates how XR technology serves as a powerful bridge to knowledge, creativity, and career exploration. His work proves that innovative technology meets passionate advocacy for accessibility. The result is transformational for students preparing to launch their futures in our increasingly digital world!

Join the SJSU King Library and the San José Public Library — in partnership with the SJSU Pride Center, SJSU College of the Humanities & the Arts, SJSU Department of Humanities, SJSU Center for Steinbeck Studies, SJSU School of Information, Santa Clara City Library, California State Senator Dave Cortese, SJSU Department of English & Comparative Literature, SJSU Department of African American Studies, SJSU Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, and the SJSU Artistic Excellence Programming Grants — as we celebrate Banned Books Week with a week's worth of events highlighting our right to read freely.