WLA/WEMTA INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AWARDS

(Updated May 2024)

Intellectual freedom, as defined by the American Library Association, is the freedom to express one’s beliefs or ideas through any mode of communication, and the right of unrestricted access to all information and ideas regardless of the medium of communication used. The ALA Library Bill of Rights offers expanded explanations of practices, which promote intellectual freedom.

Award Purpose and Criteria

The WLA/WEMTA Intellectual Freedom Award is administered jointly by the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) through its Intellectual Freedom Committee and the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) through its Intellectual Freedom Committee. Up to two WLA/WEMTA Intellectual Freedom Awards can be administered each year: one to a recipient whose work and advocacy encompasses the school setting and one recipient whose work and advocacy encompasses public, academic, or special libraries. 

Criteria: 

• Nominee’s leadership in actively promoting intellectual freedom

• Nominee’s role in defending the principles of intellectual freedom

• Nominee’s demonstrated courage by resisting and opposing censorship or other violations of intellectual freedom.

Eligibility

• Nominations may be made by personal members of WLA or WEMTA 

• Criteria achievement was accomplished in Wisconsin

• Both individuals and groups (including subgroups of larger associations) are eligible and may nominate themselves

• Activities within the past five years are eligible for consideration. 

This is not an annual award; a recipient is selected only in those years when the committee believes it is merited. 

The award is presented at the awards ceremony of either the WLA Annual Conference in the fall or the WEMTA conference in the spring depending upon the recipient’s affiliation and/or preference. An announcement of the award or brief formal recognition will be given to the award recipient at the non-presenting conference.

Nomination Packet

Submit the nomination form along with the supporting documentation to the WLA MemberClicks system between July 1 - September 6, 2024. 

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

• Nominators must send a nomination letter that identifies the nominee's achievement of the award criteria School Libraries or Public/Academic/Special libraries

• Nomination letter must include nominee and nominator contact information (name, organization name, address, phone, email address) 

• A minimum of two additional letters of support that further illuminate the nominee’s visible efforts on behalf of intellectual freedom. 

•  Other supporting documentation as appropriate.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

2015:  Marti Koller, English Department Chair, Baldwin-Woodville High School

2014:  Megan Schliesman, Cooperative Children's Book Center, UW- Madison School of Education

2013:  Appleton Area School District and School Board for Retaining The Body of Christopher Creed in the Curriculum

2011: Belleville School District Parents and Students Defending Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

2010: Dr. Robert W. Smiley, Director of Technology, Waunakee Area School District

2009: Staff and friends of the West Bend Public Library

2007: Helen Adams, retired media specialist, author, advocate

2006: Dee J. Hall, reporter, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

2003: United States Senator Russell Feingold, Middleton, WI

2001: Irene Cooley, Media Specialist, Barron Senior High School, Barron, WI

2000: Dianne McAfee Hopkins, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

1999: Carolyn Winters Folke, Former Director, Bureau for Instructional Media & Technolgy, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

1998: Dr. Nicholas J. Karolides, Chalmer Davee Library, River Falls, WI

1996: Ginny Moore Kruse, Director, Cooperative Children's Book Center, Madison, WI

1995: Hales Corners Public Library, Hales Corners, WI