top of page

Intellectual Freedom Award

GLMA Graphics (12).jpg

The Georgia Library Media Association Intellectual Freedom of Information Award recognizes an individual for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by the American Library Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the American Library Association (ALA).

The Georgia Library Media Association Intellectual Freedom of Information Award recognizes an individual for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by the American Library Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the American Library Association (ALA). Organizations or individuals may make nominations. Self-nominations are also accepted. Nominees must be members of GLMA.  

Names of the school, district, and school librarian should appear ONLY on the front page, not  the narrative, in order to ensure impartial judging.

Criteria

  • Developed and implemented an exemplary selection policy or challenge procedure.

  • Developed an innovative information program on intellectual freedom.

  • Upheld intellectual freedom principles in the face of a challenge.

  • Contributed to the literature of the field (print or non-print).

  • Has been active in the establishment and/or continuation of a coalition relating to intellectual freedom at a local, state or national level.

  • Current GLMA Intellectual Freedom Awards Committee members are not eligible for the Intellectual Freedom Award

Application Deadline: November 17, 2023

State GLMA recipients will be nominated by our organization for the national award.

Consult AASL Intellectual Freedom page for more guidance:
 http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom    

Questions?

Past Winners

Amanda Graves (GLMA 2017 recipient).  Amanda widened the intellectual freedom of her school beyond the classroom by staging a mock election. This provided opportunities for robust and respectful discussion of the candidates and the issues at stake. Students learned to honor multiple perspectives on issues using credible instructional resources.

Leigha Burnham (GLMA 2018 recipient). Leigha supported AASL's Intellectual Freedom in her library media center by transforming her collection into  label- and level-free model so that her students could select books based on interest rather than Lexile.
 

News article

Andy Spinks (2021)

Leigha Burnham (GLMA 2018 recipient). Leigha supported AASL's Intellectual Freedom in her library media center by transforming her collection into  label- and level-free model so that her students could select books based on interest rather than Lexile.
 

News article

bottom of page