American Library Association Strengthens Intellectual Freedom Work Through Integrated Advocacy Leadership

CHICAGO — As the American Library Association (ALA) marks its 150^th anniversary, the organization is advancing a renewed and integrated approach to intellectual freedom as the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) joins the Public Policy & Advocacy Office (PPA) to strengthen ALA’s legal, policy, advocacy, and member support. This alignment brings together a critical set of expertise to bolster the organization’s ability to respond to censorship, protect the freedom to read, and support libraries and library workers nationwide.

OIF will join the PPA, led by Lisa Varga, associate executive director of the Public Policy & Advocacy Office. Varga brings extensive experience in coalition-building and advocacy via chapters and at the local, state, and federal levels. She was also named Library Journal’s 2024 Librarian of the Year. Her leadership strengthens coordination between policy, advocacy, and intellectual freedom efforts across ALA.

OIF will be led by Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, a nationally recognized expert in information access, privacy, and censorship defense. A former law professor and librarian, Lamdan oversees OIF’s legal information and assistance services and leads the Law for Librarians and Lawyers for Libraries initiatives—programs that connect library workers with trusted legal guidance when facing challenges.

“At a time when libraries and library workers are confronted with unprecedented threats to the freedom to read, ALA is responding with clarity, conviction, and resolve,” said ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery. “By aligning intellectual freedom, policy, and advocacy under the leadership of Lisa Varga and Sarah Lamdan, we are ensuring that our members have the strongest possible support to meet this moment.”

Together, Varga and Lamdan provide complementary leadership—uniting legal expertise, policy strategy, and advocacy to advance ALA’s intellectual freedom mission nationwide. Supporting this integrated work is an accomplished team with decades of collective experience and deep expertise. They will continue to support libraries through education, policy development, legal guidance, and strategic partnerships.

“Intellectual freedom is not a static principle—it is a commitment that must be defended, renewed, and strengthened in every generation,” said ALA President Sam Helmick. “By bringing together deep legal expertise, advocacy leadership, and member support, ALA is better positioned to stand with library workers as they confront censorship and protect the freedom to read in communities across the country.”

In the year ahead, the integrated OIF and PPA team will continue to:

• Support libraries responding to book challenges and censorship efforts
• Advance advocacy and policy initiatives that protect intellectual freedom
• Strengthen national networks connecting library workers with legal and advocacy resources
• Expand digital tools, training, and publications to meet emerging needs

As ALA celebrates and reflects on 150 years of leadership in 2026, the organization remains focused on a future that is better equipped to support libraries and library workers.

For more information about the Office for Intellectual Freedom and its work, visit the American Library Association’s website.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.