National Library Week 2026

In celebration of National Library Week (April 19-25, 2026), two events were hosted by University Libraries in conjunction with faculty from the Department of English.

On Monday, April 20, 2026, Dr. Elyse Graham discussed her latest book entitled Book and Dagger. Her book uncovers the hidden history of academics and archivists who worked as spies during World War II in efforts to turn the tide in favor of the allies. Dr. Graham shared the stories of scholars, such as Joseph Curtiss and Adele Kibre, who were essential in developing a new type of spycraft. This spycraft centered on the use of books and archival materials to gather intelligence during the war. Dr. Graham emphasized the magnitude of these efforts, which helped win World War II, even though the war has come to be known as the “Physicists’ War.”

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Dr. Ileana Jiménez and her students shared their documentary, (Un)Banning Toni Morrison. The documentary centers the experiences of students enrolled in Dr. Jiménez’s class on Toni Morrison’s work The Bluest Eye. According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, The Bluest Eye has been consistently challenged since the 1990s and belonged on the top 10 list of most challenged and banned books in 2006, 2013, 2014, and from 2020-2024 (data is unavailable prior to 1990). The screening was followed by an inspiring discussion of the importance of reading banned books, especially works by Toni Morrison.

Both events generated robust and engaged participation from attendees. Many thanks to Dr. Graham, Dr. Jiménez, and the students who graciously shared their time and experience with us.