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Kristin Pekoll

Conference and Continuing Education Manager,
Illinois Library Association

Contact Details

Conference and Continuing Education Manager,
Illinois Library Association
Home: 872-222-3134

Kristin Pekoll

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Bio

Kristin Pekoll is the Assistant Director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. She is dedicated to promoting the right to read and providing education about intellectual freedom and the First Amendment. She is the author of "Beyond Banned Books: Defending Intellectual Freedom throughout Your Library" published by ALA Editions in 2019. http://bit.do/pekoll.  Kristin communicates with state library associations on current book challenges and publications that deal with censorship, privacy, ethics, and internet filtering. She organizes online education and training on the freedom to read and how to navigate reconsideration requests and media relations. Kristin started her career as a youth librarian in West Bend, Wisconsin. In 2009, over 80 YA LGBTQ books were challenged over 6 months. While the library board voted to retain all of the books in this case, she learned the indispensable value of support and education for librarians. She continued to fight against censorship in Wisconsin as the Intellectual Freedom Round Table Chair. Kristin’s husband and kids have joined her in Chicago but they all remain true Green Bay Packers fans. She enjoys scary movies, knitting, and the Big Bang Theory. Find her on Twitter @kpekoll or email kpekoll@ala.org.