Freedom of Information Day
Last Update: March 6, 2007
Introduction
Freedom of Information (FOI) Day is an annual event on or near March 16, the birthday of James Madison. Madison is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and as the foremost advocate for openness in government.
This year's FOI Day will take place on March 16, 2007.
More Information
Madison Awards
Each year, on Freedom of Information Day, the James Madison Award and the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award are presented by the American Library Association to recognize those individuals or groups that have championed, protected, and promoted public access to government information and the public's right to know.
- The award named for President James Madison was established in 1986 and is presented annually on the anniversary of his birth.
- The award named for Eileen Cooke, former director of the ALA Washington Office, honors an extraordinary leader in building grassroots awareness of core library issues including access to information. Cooke was a tireless advocate for the public's right to know and a mentor to many librarians and trustees.
2007 marks the 41st anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act, the third year that ALA will make the Eileen Cooke Madison Award, and the 18th year that ALA will make the James Madison award.
This year's awards will be presented on March 16, 2007, at Freedom of Information Day.
Please click here for a list of past recipients.
Call for Nominations
ALA is nol onger accepting nominations for either the James Madison Award or the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award. However, if you know a person or group that fits either of the descriptions above, and would like to alert us to that person or group, please send information to Miriam Nisbet.