Characterizing herself as “the amazed winner of the 2003 PEN award,” Williams told American Libraries, “Certainly you never survive this kind of challenge in a vacuum. You do so with the support of your family, and of colleagues, and of organizations such as the American Library Association, and the Texas Library Association members.” She added, “Truly, I try to work for every citizen of the county, not for one particular individual or one group.”
PEN judges praised Williams for getting county authorities to modify an age-neutral Internet-filtering mandate so that librarians could turn off blocking software for adults on request. The judges also cited the retention of two sex-education titles at MCLS despite a protracted battle with members of the local Republican Leadership Council; both books had been challenged over what was deemed by complaintants the promotion of homosexuality, promiscuity, and anti-Christian sentiment.
The 75-year-old PEN American Center, a nonprofit group of writers that celebrate literature and the freedom of expression, began bestowing the annual First Amendment Award in 1992. Established by actor Paul Newman and author A. E. Hotchner, it goes to a U.S. resident who beat the odds in fighting for access to the written word.
Posted April 14, 2003.