Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award

Posted June 25, 2015

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Illinois seeks nominations for the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award. The deadline for nominations is October 1, 2015.

Given annually, the award acknowledges individuals or groups who have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom, particularly as it impacts libraries and information centers and the dissemination of ideas. Granted to those who have resisted censorship or efforts to abridge the freedom of individuals to read or view materials of their choice, the award may be in recognition of a particular action or a long-term interest in and dedication to the cause of intellectual freedom.

The Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award was established in 1969 by the GSLIS faculty to honor Dean Emeritus Downs, a champion of intellectual freedom, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as director of the School.

Previous winners have included the staff and board of trustees of the Orland Park (IL) Public Library (2014) for the defense of their policy to not filter adult Internet access in the library; DaNae Leu (2013) for her efforts to keep a controversial picture book on the shelves of her elementary school library; Librotraficante (2012) for its efforts to oppose the censorship of ethnic and cultural studies materials in Arizona; Marianna Tax Choldin (2011) for her international work in educating librarians about intellectual freedom; the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (2010) for its consistent dedication to the active defense of First Amendment rights; and the West Bend (WI) Community Memorial Library for its steadfast advocacy on behalf of intellectual freedom in the face of a library challenge (2009).

Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO Publishing Company, provides an honorarium to the recipient and co-hosts the reception in honor of the recipient. The reception and award ceremony for the 2015 Downs Intellectual Freedom Award will take place in January 2016 during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters of nomination and documentation about the nominee should be sent to Associate Professor Terry Weech, either by email with a copy to [email protected], or in paper form to Terry Weech, Associate Professor, GSLIS, 501 East Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820 by October 1, 2015. Questions should be directed to Associate Professor Terry Weech.