Note: This is being posted as a courtesy to the Public Library Association. The PLA Gordon M. Conable Award is NOT to be confused with the Freedom to Read Foundation’s Gordon Conable Conference Scholarship, which provides funding for a library school student or new professional to attend an Annual Conference, with a focus on intellectual freedom programs and meetings. The application process for the 2009 FTRF Conable Scholarship will open in early 2009 – stay tuned!

Nominees are being sought for the PLA Gordon M. Conable Award. The Conable Award honors a public library staff member, a library trustee, or a public library that has demonstrated a commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights. This award is sponsored by LSSI.

The recipient of the Gordon M. Conable Award must have demonstrated a commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights in various ways, including, but not limited to, the following: developed and promoted collections that include diverse points of view; provided programs that promote community dialog on controversial issues; created and nurtured an organizational climate that fosters an understanding of the Library Bill of Rights amongst the library staff, library board, and elected and appointed officials; initiated activities at the local, state, or national level that promote, support, or defend intellectual freedom, the Library Bill of Rights, or the First Amendment; guaranteed open access to library materials and services for children and young adults; guaranteed open access to electronic information; defended library materials, programs, or services when confronted with a censorship challenge.

The award consists of a $1,500 check and a commemorative plaque that will be presented at the ALA Annual Conference.
For information about the award, please go to http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaawards/gordonmconableaward/index.cfm

To submit a nomination for this award, please visit PLA’s Online Awards Application. Questions? Contact Sara Dallas at sdallas@sals.edu or 518-584-7300 ext 205.