Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT)

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.

Jim Duncan Receives Immroth Award

The American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Immroth Award Committee is pleased to announce Jim Duncan as the recipient of the 2019 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, which honors significant contributions defending intellectual freedom.

Freedom to Read Foundation Offers 2019 Banned Books Week Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) Banned Books Weeks Grants offered through the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund.

Call for nominations for the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

Do you know of a state chapter or organization that has bravely defended the freedom to read or access information, successfully promoted intellectual freedom issues, or demonstrated exemplary coalition-building efforts?

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Coalition Building Committee is accepting nominations for the 2019 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.

Fake News or Free Speech: Is There a Right to be Misinformed?

Join the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) for Fake News or Free Speech: Is There a Right to be Misinformed? a webinar on Friday, October 12 at 1 p.m. Central. This is a webinar version of the Intellectual Freedom Committee program that Moderator Emily Knox and other panelists offered at ALA’s Annual Meeting last summer.

Nominations open for 2019 IFRT John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nomination for the 2019 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. This award, presented annually, honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in defense of freedom of expression by a living individual, group or organization. The award consists of a citation and $500. IFRT will present the award during the 2019 ALA annual conference at Washington, D.C.

ALA OIF Responds to Library Bill of Rights Meeting Room Interpretation update

CHICAGO -  The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is charged with implementing ALA policies concerning the concept of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the Association’s basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials.  OIF Director James LaRue released the following statement regarding a recent update to Library Bill of Rights meeting rooms interpretation.

Freedom to Read Foundation Announces Elected Officers to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees

Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) trustees and staff are excited to announce the results of the 2018 election of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Newly elected executive committee members began their new roles at the conclusion of the Freedom to Read Foundation annual meeting in New Orleans.  Please join us in congratulating the following: