ALA President Jim Rettig on the passing of Judith Krug

Contacts: Macey Morales / Jennifer Petersen


ALA Media Relations


312-280-4393


mmorales@ala.org /
jpetersen@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


April 13, 2009

CHICAGO – The following is a statement from American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Rettig on the loss of Banned Books Week founder and library advocate Judith F. Krug who died Saturday, April 11, 2009 after a battle with cancer.

“For more than four decades Judith Krug inspired librarians and educated government officials and others about everyone’s inviolable right to read. Her leadership in defense of the First Amendment was always principled and unwavering. All who had the privilege to work with her admired her, learned from her example, and enjoyed her sense of humor.

“Her professional legacy is the thousands of librarians and others who share her commitment to intellectual freedom. I and all of ALA’s members express our deepest sympathy to Herbert Krug and the rest of his family as they mourn Judith’s passing and celebrate her remarkable life.”

The American Library Association is the voice of America's libraries and the millions of people who depend on them. The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world. Its mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services, and to ensure access to information for all.