Intellectual Freedom Round Table

ALA urges LinkedIn Learning to reconsider changes to terms of service that impair library users’ privacy rights

CHICAGO - LinkedIn Learning — formerly Lynda.com, a platform used by libraries to provide online learning opportunities to library users — plans to make substantial changes to its terms of service that would significantly impair library users’ privacy rights.

IFRT Emerging Leader Videos Engage Non-Librarians

ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is pleased to announce the publication of four videos to engage non-librarians in the fight to protect intellectual freedom. The brief explainer videos cover the basics of intellectual freedom, censorship, and privacy for a non-library audience with key definitions and everyday language.

Utah Library Association receives the 2019 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) announces that the Utah Library Association is the 2019 recipient of the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.

Beyond banned books

CHICAGO — Equitable access to information for all, including underserved populations, is a core value of librarianship. The growing awareness of where this inequality persists has led many professionals to take steps to advance social justice within their institutions, from creating book displays about the Black Lives Matter movement or LGBT History Month to hosting programs by potentially controversial speakers.

Freedom to Read Foundation Names 2019 Gordon M. Conable Scholarship Winner

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) has selected Amanda Vazquez as the recipient of the 2019 Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship. The Conable Scholarship will cover Ms. Vazquez’s expenses to attend the 2019 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Freedom to Read Foundation Announces 2019 Roll of Honor Awards

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) Roll of Honor Committee is excited to announce Pamela (Pam) R. Klipsch, Director of Jefferson County Library in High Ridge, Missouri, as the recipient of the 2019 Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Award. The award will be presented at the opening session of the 2019 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Freedom to Read Foundation Announces Intellectual Freedom Course and Scholarship Opportunities

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is excited to partner with the San Jose State University School of Information (SJSU iSchool) and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign iSchool (iSchool at Illinois) on two Fall intellectual freedom courses.  In addition to encouraging students throughout the country to take the course, FTRF is offering one half-scholarship per course for current library and information science (LIS) students.

Freedom to Read Foundation to Host Emerging Issues in Intellectual Freedom Webinar

Join the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) for “Emerging Issues in Intellectual Freedom,” a free webinar on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 11 a.m. PST/1 p.m. CST/2 p.m. EST.

Twice a year, FTRF trustees and liaisons meet to discuss emerging intellectual freedom topics in our libraries, schools and government offices. Often these topics overlap with issues of privacy, censorship and the First Amendment.

Join members of the FTRF Developing Issues Committee Barbara Stripling and Ray James for an overview of newsworthy intellectual freedom topics, including:

Colson Whitehead to Keynote Freedom to Read Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Colson Whitehead, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad, will be the keynote speaker for the Freedom to Read Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2019. Tickets for this commemorative celebration are now available.