Intellectual Freedom Award

Sponsored by ProQuest

Monetary Amount: $2,000 to the recipient, $1,000 to the school library of the recipient's choice

Deadline: February 1, 2020

Overview

The Intellectual Freedom Award is given for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by the American Association of School Librarians and the American Library Association.

Eligibility

  1. The recipient shall be a personal member of AASL.

  2. The recipient has not received another ProQuest, Inc. sponsored Intellectual Freedom Award in the same year.

Criteria

The following criteria will be used in the selection process:

  1. The recipient shall meet at least one of the following criteria:
    • Has developed and implemented an exemplary selection policy/challenge procedure

    • Has developed an innovative information program on intellectual freedom.

    • Has upheld intellectual freedom principles in the face of a challenge.

    • Has contributed to the literature of the field (print or non-print).

    • Has been active in the establishment and/or continuation of a coalition relating to intellectual freedom at a local, state or national level.

  2. At least one supporting letter of reference must accompany the application form.  The reference must substantiate that the applicant has upheld the principles of intellectual freedom, and has met at least one of the criteria listed above. The letter must be submitted by one of the following:
    • District library supervisors.

    • State, county or district school superintendents or building principals.

    • State, district and local library organizations.

    • Directors of curriculum and instruction.

    • Directors of elementary and/or secondary education.

    • State school library supervisors.

    • Local school board members.

Nominations will be accepted by organizations or individuals. Self-nominations will not be considered. 

Download Criteria & Rating Sheets pdf icon

Download Copy of Application 

* Please note: This downloadable version is for informational purposes only. All applications must be submitted online, via the Apply Now button that will appear at the top of the page when the next award season opens September 1.

Questions

Allison Cline email icon
Deputy Executive Director

Recipients

Year Recipient School/Affiliation
2019 no award given  
2018 no award given  
2017 Amy Bradley Risley Middle School
Brunswick, Ga.
2016 no award given  
2015 no award given  
2014 Cathy Collins Sharon (Mass.) High School
2013 Rosalind Dennis DeKalb County (Ga.) School District
2012 no award given  
2011  Dee Venuto Rancocas Valley Regional High School
Mount Holly, N.J.
2010 Karyn Storts-Brinks Knox County (Tenn.) School District
2009 no award given  
2008 Kristie Michalowski Magill Elementary School
Loganville, Ga.
2007 no award given  
2006 Catherine Crain Thompson Intermediate School
Houston, Texas
2005 Ann Ewbank Cholla Middle School
Phoenix, Ariz.
2004 no award given  
2003 no award given  
2002 no award given  
2001 Dianne McAfee Hopkins University of Wisconsin-Madison
2000 Linda G. Cornette Dublin (Ohio) City Schools
1999 no award given  
1998 no award given  
1997 Ginny Moore Kruse Cooperative Children's Book Center
Madison, Wis.
1996 Ann K. Symons Juneau-Douglas (Alaska) High School
1995 no award given  
1994 Ruth E. Dishnow Texas Woman's University
Denton, Texas
1993 no award given  
1992 no award given  
1991 Neva Thompson Humboldt Unified District
Dewey, Ariz.
1990 Linda L. Waddle Cedar Hills (Iowa) High School
1989 William A. Murray Jr-Aurora Public Schools
Aurora, Colo.
1988 Nancy Morena Kocurek Elementary School
Austin, Texas
1987 Gayle Keresey East Arcadia School
Riegelwood, N.C.
1986 Carolyn Kellerman
 		 Santa Fe High School
Santa Fe, N.M.
1985 no award given  
1984 Vicki H. Hardesty Findlay High School
Santa Fe, N.M.
1983 Pat Scales Greenville Middle School
Greenville, S.C.
1982 Frances Dean
 		 Plains (Texas) High School