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April 9, 2026

ALA and AFSCME Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide

On April 9, 2026, the American Library Association (ALA) – the largest library association in the world – and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the nation’s largest union of cultural workers – reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that protects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ensures the agency will continue carrying out its congressionally mandated work.

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New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.
 

 

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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...

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...

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...

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...

Colson Whitehead, Credit: Madeline Whitehead

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...

IFRT Immroth Award Jim Duncan

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...

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. Each year FTRF distributes grants to non-profit organizations to support activities that raise...

Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

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...

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...

Immroth Award

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 to Read Foundation Joins with SJSU iSchool and the iSchool at Illinois to offer Fall Intellectual Freedom Courses

This Fall the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is working with Professors at San Jose State University School of Information (SJSU iSchool) and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign iSchool (iSchool at Illinois) to offer intellectual freedom...

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...

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 Announces 2018 Roll of Honor Awards

The Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Committee is excited to announce Doug Archer and Barbara Jones as the recipients of the 2018 Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) Roll of Honor Award. Both recipients have been integral to intellectual freedom...

Choose Privacy Every Day logo

More than a week – 'Choose Privacy' is now an everyday choice

CHICAGO - Beginning this week, the American Library Association's “Choose Privacy” website has a new look and a new URL — chooseprivacyeveryday.org — which emphasizes the importance of preserving patron privacy and data security in today’s libraries every...