IFRT accepting nominations for 2014 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award

The American Library Association (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is seeking nominations for its 2014 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award. The biennial award is presented for the best published work in the area of intellectual freedom and consists of $500 and a citation. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2013.

The award was named for Eli M. Oboler, the extensively published Idaho State University librarian known as a “champion of intellectual freedom who demanded the dismantling of all barriers to freedom of expression.”  Works to be considered for the award may be single articles (including review pieces), a series of thematically connected articles, books or manuals published on the local, state or national level in English or English translation. The work must have been published within the two-year period ending the December prior to the ALA Annual Conference at which it is granted. The 2014 award is for work published between 2012 and 2013.

The Oboler nomination form is available on the ALA website. Nominations and supporting evidence should be sent to:  Shumeca Pickett, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 312-280-4220 or 800-545-2433, ext. 4220. Fax: 312-280-4227. Email: spickett@ala.org.

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) provides a forum for the discussion of activities, programs and problems in intellectual freedom of libraries and librarians; serves as a channel of communications on intellectual freedom matters; promotes a greater opportunity for involvement among the members of the ALA in defense of intellectual freedom; promotes a greater feeling of responsibility in the implementation of ALA policies on intellectual freedom. 

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.

IFRT Preconference at ALA's Annual Conference in Anaheim

Who Do I Trust to Protect My Privacy?
Privacy Conversation Deliberative Forum And Moderator Training

Sponsored by ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table and The ALA Center for Civic Life

A Hands-On Preconference
Thursday, June 21, 2012, 1:30 – 5:30
Anaheim Convention Center, Room 303C

Join an afternoon conversation on privacy Thursday, June 21st, from 1:30 to 5:30 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Room 303C. The conversation will be structured with an Issue Map. Following the dialogue, participants will learn how to convene and moderate a deliberative dialogue so they can host their own local forums that explore privacy values and concerns.

Download forum materials including the Issue Map here (ALA Members only).

Register: Nanette Perez nperez@ala.org

$25. To register, sign onto ALA Conference Registration; click on Preconferences and Events, and scroll down to IFRT.

For More Information, contact: Carolyn Caywood cacaywood@cox.net; Nancy Kranich nancy.kranich@rutgers.edu; Nanette Perez nperez@ala.org

The Pirate Party and Annual Conference

Save The Date
June 25, 1:30-3:30 PM
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Room 288-290

IFRT is excited to announce our program from the upcoming ALA Annual Conference, “New Technologies: The Impact on Government Transparency.” Are you Interested in government transparency, its effect on libraries, and how changes in technology affect how we share information? Rick Falkvinge, founder of Sweden's Pirate Party, will be joining us in New Orleans, LA, to speak about how the evolution of information-sharing tools have impacted government transparency.

Who is Rick Falkvinge? He is the founder of the first Pirate Party and a campaigner for next-generation civil liberties and sensible information policy. In particular, he stresses how the copyright industries work in collusion with Big Brother hawks to erode or eliminate the parts of Internet that guarantee our civil liberties. On this platform, one of privacy and digital rights, his party became the largest in the below-30 demographic in the 2009 European Elections. When not doing politics or exploring technical subjects in detail, Mr. Falkvinge can usually be seen cooking, sampling a scotch whisky, or riding a fast motorcycle.

If you care about copyright, civil liberties, and freedom of speech, be sure to include this thought-provoking program on your conference calendar.

For more information on the Pirate Party (http://www.pp-international.net/) and Mr. Falkvinge (http://falkvinge.net/).

Photo Credit: Carl Johan Rehbinder