1984 by George Orwell with Sam Helmick, President of the American Library Association 2026

About this episode

This episode features a discussion on George Orwell's 1984 with Sam Helmick, President of the American Library Association 2026, exploring themes of totalitarianism and individuality.

To support Drinks in the Library and listen to ad-free episode and additional bonus content, subscribe on Patreon Set in a totalitarian superstate, George Orwell's 1984 follows Winston Smith, an official tasked with rewriting history to align with state propaganda. Driven by a desperate yearning for truth and individuality, Winston rebels against the regime by keeping a forbidden diary and pursuing a secret love affair. Ultimately, he is captured by the Thought Police, subjected to brutal psychological torture, and brainwashed into unquestioning submission. My guest this week is the 2025-26 President of the American Library Association , Sam Helmick! They work as a Community and Access Services Coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library. Sam has served as a member of the ALA Executive Board and as president of the Iowa Library Association. They previously served as chair-elect of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table and chair of the Iowa Governor’s Commission of Libraries. They have served on many committees within the American Library Association and have held leadership roles at multiple levels. Sam is a 2016 Emerging Leader, as well as an author, consultant, and instructor in…

People in this episode

Host: Gigi Howard

Guest: Sam Helmick

Topics covered

• totalitarianism
• literature
• individuality
• library services
• social media marketing

Keywords

• 1984
• George Orwell
• totalitarianism
• Winston Smith
• American Library Association
• Sam Helmick
• literature
• psychological torture
• individuality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Library Association

Products: Bourbon & Spire Oak, Eden

Books & works: 1984

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