aasl announces intellectual freedom of information award recipient
Contact: Melissa Jones
AASL Communications Specialist
(312) 280-4381
mjones@ala.org
For Immediate Release,
May 6, 2008
AASL announces Intellectual Freedom of Information Award recipient
CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce Kristie Michalowski has been awarded the 2008 Intellectual Freedom of Information Award, sponsored by ProQuest. Ms. Michalowski will receive the award at the AASL Awards Luncheon during the 2008 ALA Annual Conference in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Anaheim, Calif. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The Magill Elementary School media specialist was nominated by Valerie Ayer because of her ability to uphold intellectual freedom professionally while "following the policies/procedures to insure that the complainants’ concerns were addressed." Over the course of her career in the Gwinnett County Public School system, Michalowski has been challenged four times regarding titles in the school library. As a result of these challenges, Michalowski has been active in the revision of local policies for use of instructional resources. She has also presented at conferences and workshops and been invited by college professors to speak to future media specialists about her experience.
In her award notification letter, AASL Awards Committee Chair Leslie Forman said, "Your professionalism and sheer gutsiness in the face of pressure and attacks on your personal character are a shining example to all AASL/ALA members."
Established in 1982, the award, $2,000 to the recipient and $1,000 to the media center of the recipient's choice, is given for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by AASL and ALA. Applicants must be AASL personal members.
The AASL Awards Luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at the Marriott Hotel-Anaheim. The fee to attend is $49. Special guest speaker for the event is award-winning author Wendy Mass. For more information about this event and more AASL programs in Anaheim, visit http://www.ala.org/aasl/annual.
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.
