18 - Why A Good Library Should Have Something to Offend Everyone with John Chrastka

On this episode of Revelizations I’m joined by John Chrastka. John is a co-founder and executive director of EveryLibrary. His organization helps public libraries, school libraries, and college libraries win funding at the ballot box, ensuring stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come. In 2014 he was listed as a Mover and Shaker by the Library Journal, he was recognized by the Chicago Tribune in 2022 as a Chicagoan of the Year for his work opposing book bans, and a Publishers Weekly Notable Person for 2024. On today’s episode we discuss:

The role of libraries in modern society

How libraries secure funding

Why a good library should have something to offend everybody 

Book bans and censorship

The diversity of knowledge offered in libraries

Libraries as a refuge

AI and libraries

Why libraries and the first amendment are interconnected and more!

 

John Chrastka's websites

https://www.everylibrary.org/

https://www.fightforthefirst.org/

 

Help support EveryLibrary's mission

https://www.everylibrary.org/donate

 

Socials:

https://x.com/MrChrastka/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chrastka-1163a01/

EveryLibrary (@everylibrary.bsky.social) — Bluesky

 
Grab your favorite snack, grab a seat, and enjoy today's episode of Revelizations with John Chrastka. Thanks for listening everyone.

 

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Not enjoying Revelizations and don't know what you do next? Let me offer a suggestion, grab your loudest portable speaker capable of pairing with a device that can play a podcast, turn on an episode of Revelizations, go to a densely populated area with great acoustics, crank up the volume, and laugh maniacally as the unsuspecting population looks around in confusion to the situation they are in. While you're at it feel free to leave a review on whatever platform you're forcing everyone to listen to the Revelizations podcast and follow/subscribe so you don't miss these types of opportunities in the future.

 

Thanks to today's sponsor: Professor Slappystick's Laugh Tracks

 

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