The Fresno State Library’s 2024 Womack Lecture Series, featuring Dr. Emily JM Knox, delved into the intricate realms of censorship and intellectual freedom, igniting critical conversations within the academic community. Dr. Knox, renowned for her work in library and information science, brought profound insights into the complex dynamics shaping contemporary censorship discourse. The series opened with a riveting panel discussion co-hosted with the Fresno State Ethics Center, where Fresno State faculty and staff engaged in an exploration of the ethical implications of censorship in modern society. The panel featured Dr. Knox, philosophy professor Dr. Andrew Fiala, English professor Dr. John Beynon, and the director of the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, Varselles Cummings. The panel was moderated by Heather Parish.

The day’s activities culminated in a standing-room-only lecture on book censorship, where Dr. Knox captivated the audience with her deep understanding and impassioned advocacy for intellectual freedom. Through her compelling discourse, Dr. Knox not only underscored the importance of safeguarding intellectual freedom but also encouraged our community to confront the challenges and complexities of censorship in the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

Both the panel discussion and the evening lecture are available on Fresno State Library’s YouTube Channel.