Sponsored by ProQuest
Monetary Amount: $2,000 to the recipient, $1,000 to the school library of the recipient's choice
Deadline: February 1
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
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The recipient shall be a personal member of AASL.
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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:
- The recipient shall meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Has developed and implemented an exemplary selection policy/challenge procedure
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Has developed an innovative information program on intellectual freedom.
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Has upheld intellectual freedom principles in the face of a challenge.
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Has contributed to the literature of the field (print or non-print).
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Has been active in the establishment and/or continuation of a coalition relating to intellectual freedom at a local, state or national level.
- 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.
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State, county or district school superintendents or building principals.
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State, district and local library organizations.
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Directors of curriculum and instruction.
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Directors of elementary and/or secondary education.
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State school library supervisors.
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Local school board members.
Nominations will be accepted by organizations or individuals.
Download Criteria & Rating Sheets 
* 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 in early September.
Questions
Allison Cline 
Deputy Executive Director
Recipients
| Year | Recipient | School/Affiliation |
| 2020 (tie) | Martha Hickson | North Hunterdon High School Annandale, New Jersey |
 "As a high school librarian, I strive to create a safe space that welcomes all students and ideas. But the attempt to censor "Fun Home" attacked students’ right to encounter challenging ideas within the safe space of a book. Thank you for this award, which recognizes that when librarians curate inclusive collections, not only do we provide a service as educators, but we also perform a civic duty by equipping a new generation to exercise their First Amendment right to read." |
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| 2020 (tie) | Donna Morris | Daniel Boone Elementary Richmond, Kentucky |
 "For the past 14 years, I’ve been the library media specialist and school technology coordinator at Daniel Boone Elementary in Richmond, KY. Learning of my selection as Co-Intellectual Freedom Award Winner has left me overwhelmed and excited. The ALA Bill of Rights provided my strength and guidance along with help from colleagues across Kentucky. Now when students check out, If I Ran the Zoo, I know they have been allowed the freedom we all deserve." |
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| 2019 | no award given | |
| 2018 | no award given | |
| 2017 | Amy Bradley | Risley Middle School Brunswick, Georgia |
| 2016 | no award given | |
| 2015 | no award given | |
| 2014 | Cathy Collins | Sharon (Massachusetts) High School |
| 2013 | Rosalind Dennis | DeKalb County (Georgia) School District |
| 2012 | no award given | |
| 2011 | Dee Venuto | Rancocas Valley Regional High School Mount Holly, New Jersey |
| 2010 | Karyn Storts-Brinks | Knox County (Tennessee) School District |
| 2009 | no award given | |
| 2008 | Kristie Michalowski | Magill Elementary School Loganville, Georgia |
| 2007 | no award given | |
| 2006 | Catherine Crain | Thompson Intermediate School Houston, Texas |
| 2005 | Ann Ewbank | Cholla Middle School Phoenix, Arizona |
| 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, Wisconsin |
| 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, Arizona |
| 1990 | Linda L. Waddle | Cedar Hills (Iowa) High School |
| 1989 | William A. Murray | Jr-Aurora Public Schools Aurora, Colorado |
| 1988 | Nancy Morena | Kocurek Elementary School Austin, Texas |
| 1987 | Gayle Keresey | East Arcadia School Riegelwood, North Carolina |
| 1986 | Carolyn Kellerman |
Santa Fe High School Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1985 | no award given | |
| 1984 | Vicki H. Hardesty | Findlay High School Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1983 | Pat Scales | Greenville (South Carolina) Middle School |
| 1982 | Frances Dean |
Plains (Texas) High School |