The ACC Service-Learning Program, in collaboration with Interfaith Action of Central Texas, invites you to an on-campus conversation event on the topic of "Banned Books"! Austin Community College (ACC) employees, students, employers, and community are invited to attend this free in-person event. Dinner is included! Registration is required.
"Experiencing a discussion and listening event that allows everyone to grow was such a great time." --Anonymous spring 2023 student participant
Our Fall 2023 conversation topic is "Banned Books." As the American Library Association (ALA) notes, "Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." However, the ALA "promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them." ACC Dean of Library Services, Keri Moczygemba, will frame this issue for participants, who will then be invited to share their own experiences through empathetic and structured table conversations.
Research: See our list of quotes on "Banned Books" provided by ACC Library Services.
Take Action: See our list of "Literacy and Library Service-Learning Opportunities," or find ways to volunteer with our partner, iACT.
Keri started at ACC in 2017 as the Head Librarian for the Hays Campus Library and is now our Dean of Library Services. Keri holds a Bachelor of Science in advertising communications and a Bachelor of Arts in geography from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science in Library Information Science from the University of North Texas, a second Master of Science in Learning and Information Technologies from UNT, and is currently working in the final stages of a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at Texas Tech University.
What is the Red Bench?
Interfaith Action of Central Texas describes the Red Bench as "an ongoing dialogue program designed to address one of the most pressing needs of our time: improving interfaith understanding and civil discourse in our society. Each conversation is centered on moderated small group discussions that are genuinely respectful and safe. No one has to be an expert. Individual participants are invited to share from their personal experiences and listen with their hearts. The format is structured and allows each individual to be heard. Each table is 'hosted' by one or two table hosts," which will be our very own ACC Social Psychology students!
What should I expect at the Red Bench event?
The Red Bench is a table conversation, not a debate. You can expect to share your own experiences and listen to the experiences of others. Upon arrival, you may join a table of 6 people for a light buffet-style dinner from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM, with music from our ACC Student String Quartet. Vegetarian meal options are provided. We encourage you to sit with people you don't know! Then our Dean of Library Services, Keri Moczygemba, will briefly frame the topic of "Banned Books." Our host, Interfaith Action of Central Texas, will provide instructions for the structured conversation, and trained ACC students will host the conversation at each table. The conversation will last one hour, from around 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, then each table will have the opportunity to share highlights with the larger group. We will adjourn at 8:00 PM.
Why should I participate?
Last year, 100% of respondents felt highly or extremely welcomed at the event, and 100% would recommend it to a friend or colleague. Here's what students were saying:
"I absolutely loved how kind everyone was, even when a conversation took a difficult turn. People still tried their best to give other people their attention and empathy; something I wish we had a lot more of in everyday conversations and interactions."
"The structure, collaborative nature, and encouragement to engage at your own comfort level. Also the food and string quartet!"
"I loved being able to connect with strangers in a way that I would never have done outside of the event."
Communication Studies
Composition & Literacy Studies
Dental Hygiene
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Interdisciplinary Studies: Peace and Conflict Studies
Music Department
Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities
Psychology
Sociology
Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) and Simone Talma Flowers
ACC Division of Teaching and Learning Excellence and Dr. Susy Warner-Sanchez
The Office of Experiential Learning
Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities Dept. and Dr. Grant Potts
Dr. Kathy Frost, Dr. Shirin Khosropour, Dr. Becky Villareal
ACC Library Services and Dean Keri Moczygemba
Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Communications and Dean Matthew Daude-Laurents
ACC Music Department and Prof. Emily Montoya
Christine Alhorn
Lindsey Bone
Alexa Dominguez
André Ferreira
Estevan Franco
Grayson Giunta
Militzy Gremillion-Llanos
Lauren Le
Ian Ornelas
Dalton Rickmers
Alexander Ryan
Cris Saravia
Jacob Swoboda
Alexis Williams
Brian Williams
John Williams
Wendy Worth
Hannah Yaklin
How to Get There
