Constitution Day 2025 Conversations on EveryLibrary Live!

Libraries, archives, and museums are not only cultural institutions; they are also constitutional institutions.

As agencies and organizations rooted in the 10th Amendment’s recognition of state and local authority, they embody and manifest First Amendment rights of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly, while advancing the Fourteenth Amendment’s promise of equal protection under the law. Every day in these very local institutions, the public experiences freedom of inquiry, the diversity of belief, and the dignity of equal access, ideally without fear or favor.

On Constitution Day 2025, we are reminded that libraries, archives, and museums give form and substance to our constitutional principles in neighborhoods, towns, schools, and campuses across the nation. This year, we are honored to be joined by a distinguished lineup of voices:

• Dr. Colleen J. Shogan, former Archivist of the United States and now Senior Advisor at More Perfect, is bringing her expertise on the preservation of our nation’s founding documents and the future of civic education.
  
  
• Dan Novack, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Penguin Random House, has been on the front lines of groundbreaking First Amendment cases from Florida to Iowa to Idaho.
  
  
• Joe Caiazzo, Adjunct Professor of American Political Thought at Endicott College and political communications strategist, focuses on how we communicate constitutional values in elections and advocacy.
  
  
• Stephana Ferrell, Co-Founder and Director of Research & Insight at the Florida Freedom to Read Project, is a leading voice in the fight against book bans and in turning court rulings into civic lessons.
  
  
• Dr. Casey Burgat, Director of the Legislative Affairs Program at George Washington University, whose new book We Hold These “Truths” confronts the myths distorting our democracy.

Join EveryLibrary Live! on September 17 for a full day of conversations with leaders and advocates who are putting those principles into action. You can watch all sessions live on EveryLibrary's Facebook Live and YouTube Live or on-demand right away, anytime.

1:00 p.m. EDT

Dr. Casey Burgat, George Washington University

As we reflect on the Constitution in practice, Dr. Casey Burgat challenges us to confront the myths that distort our understanding of democracy. His new book, We Hold These “Truths”: How to Spot the Myths That Are Holding America Back (Authors Equity Press), brings together voices from across the political spectrum to debunk common misconceptions about term limits, lobbyists, money in politics, the media, bipartisanship, and more.

Dr. Burgat is Director of the Legislative Affairs Program at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. A former congressional staffer and governance fellow, he is a widely published scholar and commentator whose work focuses on strengthening Congress and rebuilding trust in American government. On Constitution Day, he will explore how separating fact from fiction in our civics can empower all of us to demand a government that truly works for the people.

3:00 p.m. EDT

Stephana Ferrell, Florida Freedom to Read Project

In a recent Orlando Sentinel op-ed, Stephana Ferrell called on Florida school districts to turn a federal court’s ruling against HB1069 into a teachable moment: to “teach the court case on Constitution Day.” HB1069 had tried to sharply restrict access to school library materials, mandate the removal of books deemed “inappropriate,” and limit educators’ ability to share diverse perspectives in classrooms. The court struck it down as unconstitutional. Join us for this teachable moment with a message that compliance with the law isn’t just about restoring books to shelves, it’s about modeling civic engagement and helping students see constitutional principles in action.

Ferrell is co-founder and Director of Research & Insight at the Florida Freedom to Read Project. A parent and advocate, she has become a leading voice in the fight against coordinated book bans, producing data-driven research, training communities, and speaking out in defense of students’ rights.

5:00 p.m. EDT

Joe Caiazzo, Endicott College and 1788 Media

The Constitution is interpreted and lived at every level of government and in every community. Joe Caiazzo, Adjunct Professor of American Political Thought at Endicott College and a seasoned political communications expert, will join us to explore how to talk about constitutional values in ways that resonate with voters and elected officials. From elections to legislative meetings, framing complex issues like the right to read in constitutional terms can help libraries and their allies build durable support across the political spectrum.

Caiazzo is a partner at both 1788 Media and The JCN Group, a trainer for the National Democratic Training Committee, and a political partner with the Truman National Security Project. He previously earned his M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. in History and Theology from Barry University. In addition to teaching and consulting, he serves on the Board of Directors for North Shore Community Health.

7:00 p.m. EDT

Dan Novack, Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House has carried a unique and groundbreaking role in defending the First Amendment, both in the courtroom and in legislatures nationwide. In Florida, Penguin Random House v. Gibson struck down HB 1069, a law that barred school library materials deemed “pornographic.” In Iowa, a federal judge has blocked enforcement of a PRH-lead lawsuit against Senate File 496, which banned books depicting sex acts and LGBTQ+ themes from K–12 libraries. In Idaho, publishers including PRH challenged HB 710, which forbids under‑18s from accessing library materials with “sexual content,” regardless of merit.

We will discuss these legal battles and advancing “right to read” and “right to create” legislation with Dan Novack, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Penguin Random House. Novak is a founding member of PRH’s Intellectual Freedom Task Force. He has been on the front lines of high-stakes cases and policy initiatives that protect authors, readers, and the creative process itself.

9:00 p.m. EDT

Dr. Colleen J. Shogan, Former Archivist of the United States / More Perfect

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) sits at the heart of our constitutional life, preserving and interpreting the very documents that define the American experiment. As the first woman confirmed as Archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen J. Shogan brought new energy to this work, expanding public access, deepening civic education, and highlighting the question of whose history is preserved and told.

Now serving as Senior Advisor at More Perfect, Dr. Shogan will join us for a wide-ranging conversation on NARA’s unique and foundational role, the challenges and opportunities facing libraries and archives in today’s political climate, and how America’s upcoming Semiquincentennial shapes the stories we tell about ourselves. We’ll also hear a special announcement from More Perfect, aimed at carrying the spirit of Constitution Day forward throughout the year.

You can watch all sessions live on EveryLibrary's Facebook Live and YouTube Live or on-demand right away, anytime. Let’s come together on Constitution Day to reflect, learn, and act to protect the freedoms that libraries, archives, and museums safeguard for every American.