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Meeting room policies, drag queen storytimes, research databases, and library book displays have made headlines and sparked controversy in libraries. At the 2019 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting, the 91´«Ã½ Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) will host “ Intellectual...
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...
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...
Libraries invited to join Dear Banned Author letter-writing campaign this Banned Books Week
Speaking out for banned and challenged books is vital in the fight against censorship. This Banned Books Week (September 23-29), the 91´«Ã½'s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is hosting a letter-writing campaign that celebrates...
The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is excited to announce an educational collaboration with the San Jose State University School of Information (SJSU iSchool). “I’m thrilled to collaborate with the Freedom to Read Foundation in our courses on...
91´«Ã½ OIF Responds to Library Bill of Rights Meeting Room Interpretation update
CHICAGO - The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is charged with implementing 91´«Ã½ policies concerning the concept of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the Association’s basic policy on...
New intellectual freedom resources for libraries on social media and controversial programs
In response to program cancellations and rising concerns about social media access and privacy, the 91´«Ã½ Intellectual Freedom Committee published new guidelines and a Q&A for library workers. “ Social Media Guidelines for Public and Academic Libraries ”...
Council adopts three revisions to Library Bill of Rights interpretations
At 91´«Ã½’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, 91´«Ã½ Council adopted three Library Bill of Rights interpretation revisions — proposed by the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) — that cover meeting rooms, library-initiated programs, and services to people with...
More than a week – 'Choose Privacy' is now an everyday choice
CHICAGO - Beginning this week, the 91´«Ã½'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...
Schools and Libraries Speak Out for Banned Books with Krug Fund Grants
Chicago, IL- The Freedom to Read Foundation extends its congratulations to the 2018 Banned Books Week grants recipients. Each year the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) distributes grants to non-profit organizations to support activities that raise...
Freedom to Read Foundation Announces 2018 Conable Conference Scholarship Recipient
CHICAGO — The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) has selected Dovi Mae Patino as the recipient of the 2018 Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship. The Conable Scholarship will cover Ms. Patino’s expenses to attend the 2018 Annual Conference of the...
Shannon Oltmann appointed editor of the ‘Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy’
CHICAGO - Shannon M. Oltmann, associate professor in the School of Information Science at the University of Kentucky, has been appointed editor of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, effective May 7, 2018. Oltmann holds a Ph.D. from Indiana...
Win Literary Prizes, Support Intellectual Freedom at 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference
Would you like to support contributions made to intellectual freedom on a personal level? And in the process come away with some great prizes? The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is pleased to announce an exciting raffle at its breakfast fundraiser on...
The Freedom to Read Foundation Announces Results of 2018 Board of Trustees Election
Last week the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) announced the results of the 2018 election for the Board of Trustees. The following candidates will join the FTRF Board of Trustees following the June Freedom to Read Foundation meeting in New Orleans...
Choose Privacy Week 2018: Big Data Is Watching You
CHICAGO – In the wake of Mark Zuckerberg’s Congressional testimony last week and the related explosion of public interest in how online personal data is collected, stored, shared, used and sometimes misused, this year’s Choose Privacy Week theme— “Big...