Author: Intellectual Freedom Round Table
Library Workers Helping Library Workers
Consider donating to the Merritt Fund!
IFRT Votes! Meet the Candidates
Meet the candidates for IFRT chair-elect, treasurer, and directors-at-large at a virtual event and read candidate bios to prepare for ALA elections this spring.
Nominations Still Open for IFRT Awards!
Nominations for the Immroth Award recognizing personal courage in the defense of intellectual freedom are due December 1, for the Oboler Award honoring a book are due December 1, and for the Hodges Award celebrating an organization dedicated to intellectual freedom are due January 1.
IRFT Member Spotlight – Nadia Orozco-Sahi
This month the Intellectual Freedom Round Table is highlighting the work and concerns of IFRT Member Nadia Orozco-Sahi.
IRFT Member Spotlight – Sam Jack
Sam Jack is the adult services librarian at Newton Public Library in Newton, Kansas – near Wichita. Sam received a BA in English from Harvard and an MFA in poetry from the University of Montana, then spent several years working as a journalist before earning an MLS from Emporia State University. He is three years into his career as a librarian. He serves as a member of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table’s Publications and Communications Committee, and was part of the 2022 class of ALA Emerging Leaders. Outside of the library world, Sam enjoys writing poetry and singing opera and classical choral music.
IRFT Member Spotlight – Dorcas Hand
Dorcas Hand is a retired school librarian who faced a few materials challenges during her career, but none that reached the level of current events. She currently holds a seat on the board of the Freedom to Read Foundation and serves as the Retired Members Round Table liaison to the ALA Committee on Library Advocacy (COLA). Dorcas co-chairs the COLA Ecosystem Initiative Subcommittee and is the ALA Chapter Councilor for Texas.
Banned Books Take Over DC
At this year’s ALA conference, show some love for your favorite banned and challenged books by snapping a photo with one of IFRT’S banned book flyers.
IFRT Member Spotlight – Jung Soo Bae
This month we would like to highlight IFRT Member and 2022 Emerging Leader Jung Soo Bae.
Nominations open for 2022 IFRT 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 to information; successfully promoted intellectual freedom issues; or demonstrated exemplary coalition-building efforts?
IFRT Member Spotlight – Pilar Martinez
This month we would like to highlight IFRT Member Pilar Martinez.