Help us help librarians!

The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund

Karla Shafer served as director of the Hooper (Nebr.) Public Library for six and a half years before a controversy erupted in 2010 over the English classes she taught to immigrants in a nearby town on her days off. She resigned her position when the work environment became untenable. Three months later, her unemployment benefits were canceled, following an appeal from the city.

With money running out and few other options available to her, Karla turned to the LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund for assistance. The Fund gave Karla $5,000 to help pay her overdue bills and legal expenses. “What I perceived as harassment and punishment would have truly destroyed me had it not been for the Merritt Fund,” Shafer said. “It is still hard to describe the emotional suffering of those months.”

In 2011, Karla moved to Omaha and accepted a part-time library position. “It is very evident there comes a time for many of us when we need others – even strangers – to say ‘Here, I’ll help you. That could have been me!”

Since 1971 The Merritt Fund is devoted to the support, maintenance, medical care, and welfare of librarians who have been

·         denied employment rights or discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, age, disability, or place of national origin; 

·         denied employment rights because of defense of intellectual freedom; that is, threatened with loss of employment or discharged because of their stand for the cause of intellectual freedom, including promotion of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and the freedom of librarians to select items for their collections from all the world’s written and recorded information.

The Merritt Fund cannot provide this assistance without the help of supporters like you. Please join us in supporting our colleagues by making a donation to the Merritt Fund. Visit the Merritt Fund donation page to make your donation today at www.merittfund.org

Loida Garcia-Febo

Chair, IFRT Merritt Fund Committee

Utah Library Association IFC receives the 2013 Gerald Hodges IF Chapter Relations Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) announces that the Utah Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee is the recipient of the 2013 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Utah Library Association built “a strong Intellectual Freedom cohort in the State of Utah. In one year they had a fivefold increase in membership, developed and implemented training programs, successfully assisted in fighting a highly publicized banned book situation, publicized Intellectual Freedom issues, developed relationships with community organizations; recruited students, new graduates and paraprofessionals, and forged bonds and closer relationships as a committee.” Barbara Pickell, Hodges Award chair said, “The achievements of the Utah Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee epitomize the values and goals that are recognized by the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.”

The Hodges Award recognizes an intellectual freedom-focused organization that has developed a strong multi-year, ongoing program or a single, one-year project that exemplifies support for Intellectual Freedom, patron confidentiality and anti-censorship efforts. The award, named after Gerald Hodges, who joined the ALA staff in 1989 as director of membership services and the Chapter Relations Office, consists of $1,000 and a citation. Hodges was the associate director of communications and marketing at his death in 2006, but intellectual freedom and chapter relations were still his passions. A charter member of the ALA Legacy Society, he willed a portion of his estate to support ALA's intellectual freedom efforts. Memorial contributions in recognition of Hodges came from many friends, colleagues and ALA chapters following the establishment of the Gerald Hodges Fund.

This is the first year the award was given in his honor and will be presented at the IFRT 40^th anniversary celebration. Come join the IFRT from 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013 at the magnificent Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St. at Michigan Ave., Chicago) for the celebration. The evening will include live music, building tours, delicious edibles, and signature libations.

Tickets for the celebration are $30 for IFRT members, $40 for non-members and $20 for students. To purchase a ticket, just visit http://ala13.ala.org by June 24 and go through the Annual Conference registration site. If you already have registered for the Annual Conference, you can just add this ticketed event. Note: if you do not want to attend the rest of the conference, you can purchase tickets just for this event. Just begin the registration process and then select “Ticketed Events.” Tickets will not be available at the door.

In celebrating the 40th anniversary, IFRT will also celebrate our first chair of the Round Table, John Phillip Immroth (1973–1974). Proceeds from the 40th anniversary celebration will go to increase the endowment of the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. You can help. Your event sponsorship donation of $100, $250 or $500 will help to continue this prestigious award for many years to come. This year’s Immroth award winner, Amnesty International, will also be presented at the celebration. The bulk of your sponsorship
donation is tax-deductible. To become a sponsor of the IFRT 40^th anniversary celebration, contact Shumeca Pickett at spickett@ala.org or (312) 280-4220. 

Nominations Sought for IFRT Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

The ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is seeking nominations for the inaugural Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.  The award will be presented, along with the Immroth Award, atIFRT’s 40^th Anniversary Celebration, to be held on Friday, June 28, 2013, in conjunction with

the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.                                

The deadline for nominations is Monday, May 13, 2013.  The nomination form can be found at http://www.ala.org/ifrt/awardsfinal/hodges/hodges. 

The Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award will recognize an Intellectual Freedom focused organization that has developed a strong multi-year, ongoing program or a single, one-year project that exemplifies support for Intellectual Freedom, patron confidentiality and anti-censorship efforts. ALAChapters (state, regional, and student), Divisions, Round Tables and Affiliates (including division affiliates) will be eligible for the award.

The award consists of a citation and $1,000 from the ALA Gerald Hodges Fund, established following Hodges’ death in 2006.

Gerald Hodges joined the ALA staff in 1989 as director of membership services and the Chapter Relations Office.  At his death in 2006, he was the associate director of communications and marketing, but his passion was still Intellectual Freedom and Chapter Relations.  A charter member of the ALA Legacy Society, Hodges willed a portion of his estate to support ALA's intellectual freedom efforts. Memorial contributions in recognition of Hodges came from many friends, colleagues and ALA chapters following the establishment of the Gerald Hodges Fund.

ALA’s use of this Fund to support this award commemorates Hodges’s twin passions for intellectual freedom and the powerful capabilities of ALA’s chapters.  The award takes the place of the IFRT State and Regional Intellectual Freedom Achievement Award, which from 1984–2009 was given to the most innovative and effective intellectual freedom project covering a state or region.  

Nominations and supporting evidence for the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award must be received by May 13, 2013.  Nominations and supporting evidence should be sent via email, fax, or mail to: Shumeca Pickett, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Fax: 312-280-4227. E-mail: spickett@ala.org.  Questions? Call 312-280-4220 or 800-545-2433, ext. 4220.

Information on all IFRT intellectual awards can be found at http://www.ala.org/ifrt/awardsfinal.

Amnesty International USA receives the 2013 John Philip Immroth Memorial Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) announces that Amnesty International USA is the recipient of the 2013 John Philip Immroth Memorial Award.

Amnesty International USA has supported intellectual freedom for 52 years.

“Of special recognition is Amnesty International’s approach to Banned Books Week, said Immroth Award Chair Charles Kratz. Rather than focusing on book censorship, per se, Amnesty International’s approach focused on the logical consequences that would follow when governments are allowed to censor. Beyond the removal or burning of books comes the removal and physical harm to authors, journalists and others.

This year’s award will be presented at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table. In celebrating the 40th anniversary, IFRT will also celebrate our first chair of the Round Table, John Phillip Immroth (1973–1974). Come join the IFRT from 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013 at the magnificent Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St. at Michigan Ave., Chicago) for the celebration. Refreshments, including signature cocktails, will be served.

The John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award honors intellectual freedom fighters in and outside the library profession who have demonstrated remarkable personal courage in resisting censorship. The award consists of $500 and a citation. Individuals, a group of individuals or an organization are eligible for the award. The award was first presented in 1976.

Tickets for the celebration are $30 for IFRT members and $40 for non-members. To purchase a ticket, just visit http://ala13.ala.org and go through the Annual Conference registration site. If you already have registered for the Annual Conference, you can just add this ticketed event. Note: if you do not want to attend the rest of the conference, you can purchase tickets just for this event. Just begin the registration process and then select “Ticketed Events.”

Proceeds from the 40th anniversary celebration will go to increase the endowment of the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award.  You can help. Your event sponsorship donation of $100, $250 or $500 will help to continue this prestigious award for many years to come. The bulk of your sponsorship donation is tax-deductible. To become a sponsor of the IFRT 40^th anniversary celebration, contact Shumeca Pickett at spickett@ala.org or (312) 280-4220.

Judith Krug Fund Banned Books Week event grants now open

Applications for 2013 Judith Krug Fund Banned Books Week event grants now open

CHICAGO—Applications are now open for the 2013 Judith F.Krug Memorial Fund Banned Books Week event grants, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF). Grants in the amounts of $2,500 and $1,000 will be given to organizations in support of "Read-Outs” or other activities that celebrate Banned Books Week (Sept. 22 – 30, 2013).

Applications for the grants will be accepted through April 30, 2013, and the announcements will be made in June.

The Freedom to Read Foundation - the First Amendment legal defense affiliate of the American Library Association - is an official sponsor of Banned Books Week.

This is the fourth year Krug Fund grants will be given. Eight organizations received grants in 2012, six in 2011 and seven in 2010 . A compilation video of 2012 recipients can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK0e1KMgeg. Photos from all 21 projects are available at www.facebook.com/freedomtoread, and additional information about all the funded events is at www.ftrf.org/?Krug_BBW.

Organizations are required to submit an event description, timeline and budget with their application; they also will agree to provide a written report, photos and video from their event(s) toFTRFfollowing Banned Books Week.Only not-for-profit organizations may apply. They need not have official 501(c) 3 status. Krug Fund grants cannot be used to buy computer hardware.

Going forward beginning in 2013, organizations may only be awarded grants twice within a six-year period.

For more information on Banned Books Week, challenges to materials in libraries and schools and resources for combating censorship, visit www.ala.org/bbooks. A compendium of thousands of books that have been banned and challenged can be found in the 2010 "Banned Books Resource Guide," available through the ALA Store: www.alastore.ala.org. You also can purchase Banned Books Week posters, buttons, bookmarks, t-shirts, bracelets and tote bags there.

Contact Jonathan Kelley at jokelley@ala.org with questions, or call (800) 545-2433, ext.4226.

Judith F. Krug,FTRF’s first executive director, was passionate about Banned Books Week and defending the freedom to read. After her death, the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund was established to guarantee that the message of Banned Books Week would continue to spread and grow around the UnitedStates.

An informal guide to IF-supportive candidates

ALA Election season is upon us. We know you have many issues of concern in the profession. If intellectual freedom drives your voting choices, please make use of this  informal guide to IF-supportive candidates 

With thanks to Jim Kuhn for his assistance and to Julia Warga for her permission, here's a list of ALA candidates who have shown dedication to intellectual freedom in their memberships to IFC, IFRT, their professional histories or statements of concern.


(The ALA election polls have opened and will close on Friday, April 26th.) 

An informal guide to IF-supportive candidates for ALA Council 2013. (updated March 20, 2013)

NOTE:
These names are provided for informational purposes only and imply no endorsement of the candidates.  Please report any error or omission to Acrewd@live.com (I, Ann Crewdson, claim responsibility for this list.)

Candidates for ALA President
Barbara F. ImrothCourtney L. Young

Candidates for Councilor-at-Large
Abdullahi, IsmailBell, Gladys SmileyChou, MinCrewdson, AnnDowning, KarenGarcia-Febo, LoidaGarnar, MartinHand, DorcasHires, WillHogan, Patricia M.Kamm, SueKemp, ViccyKratz, CharlesMargolis, BernardMatthews, Stephen L.Milone Hill, NanciNickel, Robbie L.Pecoraro, JohnReech-Harper, Celise AnnReynolds, KevinRomans, LarryRubin, RachelRushton, ErinTeliha, JimToriola, TemitopeWilliams, J. Linda

Intellectual Freedom Round Table to hold 40th anniversary celebration at Chicago Cultural Center

We're 40 this year! Come help us celebrate, at the Chicago Cultural Center, during the Annual ALA conference this summer!

Tickets available now!  Visit http://www.ala.org/ifrt/ifrt-40th-anniversary-celebration for more information

CHICAGO - After 40 years of defending and upholding First Amendment
rights, it is time for a party. Come join the Intellectual Freedom Round
Table (IFRT) from 7:30 - 10 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013 at the
magnificent Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St. at Michigan
Ave.) for our 40th Anniversary Celebration. This event is held in
conjunction with the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.

Tickets for this worthy event are $30 for IFRT members and $40 for
non-members.  If you are not a member, consider joining IFRT for only
$15 and become involved in some of the most important issues in the
library community.  Tickets for students are $20.  All tickets are
available via ALA's Annual Conference registration system (note: you do
not have to register for the Annual Conference to attend).
Refreshments, including signature cocktails, will be served.

Proceeds from this event will benefit IFRT's prestigious John Phillip
Immroth Memorial Award, honoring the courage, dedication and
contribution of an individual or group setting the finest example for
the defense and furtherance of the principles of intellectual freedom.
The award was named for John Phillip Immroth, founder and first chair of
the Intellectual Freedom Round Table in 1973.  "The winners of this
award through the years have, without exception, been inspirational to
all of us who know the kind of risk and dedication it takes to stand up
for intellectual freedom," said Charles Kratz, chair of the Immroth
Award committee.  "Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the Immroth Award,
so that it can continue to honor those who richly deserve it for years
to come."  The 2013 Immroth Award recipient will be announced later this
spring.

Sponsorship opportunities are available to individuals and organizations
who wish to help support the event at a higher level.
Sponsorship levels are $100 (Defender), $250 (Advocate) and $500
(Champion) and include tickets, recognition in the program and other
benefits. Sponsorship donations above the price of the tickets are tax
deductible.  To become a sponsor of the IFRT 40th anniversary
celebration, contact Shumeca Pickett atspickett@ala.org or (312)
280-4220.

"The IFRT 40th Anniversary celebration will be a great opportunity to
bring together long-standing and brand new members of the Intellectual
Freedom community to honor our past and look forward to our future,"
says Julia Warga, chair of IFRT. "I invite everyone to come and share in
what promises to be a truly delightful event!"