Intellectual Freedom Champion of the Year Award 

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Oregon Library Association offers the OLA Intellectual Freedom Champion of the Year Award in recognition of the contribution made by an individual, group of individuals, or an organization or institution that has actively promoted or defended intellectual freedom in Oregon.  The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Oregon Library Association administers the Award and presents it at the Annual Awards Banquet held at the OLA Annual Conference.

As stated in chapter 33 of the OLA bylaws, the purpose of the OLA Intellectual Freedom Champion of the Year Award is to recognize truly outstanding efforts in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom. The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Oregon Library Association administers the award and presents it at the awards banquet held at the OLA Annual Conference.

Qualifications for recipients:

• Nominations are limited to individuals or institutions whose efforts benefited Oregon, or who were residents of Oregon at the time when they promoted intellectual freedom in an outstanding way. Nominees do not have to be OLA members.
• Nominations may be made for activities ongoing or completed in the previous five years.
• Persons who have won the award during the past five (5) years are ineligible.
• Current voting members of the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) are ineligible.

Nomination process:

• Nominations will be solicited using the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee’s website, OLA Hotline Newsletter, OASL Newsletter, and Libs-OR and OASL listservs.
• Nominations will be accepted through a nomination form. The form will be available by request from the Intellectual Freedom Committee and will also be available on the IFC webpage.
• Each nomination should be documented with a narrative statement and any news releases, supporting letters, published articles and other documentation that supports the nomination.
• The completed nomination form and supporting materials shall be submitted to the IFC by two (2) months prior to the OLA annual meeting.

Criteria used in selecting a winner:

• Developed an innovative information program relating to intellectual freedom issues;
• Upheld intellectual freedom principles in the face of challenge;
• Actively promoted intellectual freedom principles in his/her sphere; and/or
• Exemplified the spirit of intellectual freedom.

Nominations are currently OPEN.  Please submit nominee information via this Google Form no later than Mar 22 2025.

For more information, please contact the chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee.  Current chair(s) are listed on the About the Intellectual Freedom Committee page.

Intellectual Freedom Champion Award Recipients

In recognition of years of service and dedication with the IFC including
a role as IF Chair for the Oregon Association of School Libraries, and
extensive support given to library staff across Oregon as they navigated
intellectual freedom situations.

Darin Stewart
In recognition of devotion to supporting intellectual freedom through
the founding of the nonprofit, Parents Defending Schools and Libraries
(PDSAL), giving voice to the parents and students across Oregon who
stand for free and open access to information.

2023
April Witteveen
In recognition of courage and excellence in defending the principles of privacy,
equity, diversity and inclusion, and the freedom to read in Crook County.

2022
Marie Felgentrager
In recognition of courage and excellence in supporting Oregon students’ freedom to read

2019
Oregon Battle of the Books Committee
In recognition of their work defending intellectual freedom in Oregon

2018
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
In recognition of their work to promote intellectual freedom,
from Oregon across the United States and the rest of the world

2016
Jean Gritter - Albany School District, Library Media Specialist
Blain Willard - Albany School District, Teacher
Jason Hay - Albany School District, Director of Secondary Curriculum
In recognition of their courageous efforts in support of their students’ freedom to read

2014
Senator Ron Wyden - United States Senate
 In recognition of his forceful and sustained campaign
to protect the privacy rights of individuals from government surveillance

2011
Katie Anderson - Oregon State Library, Youth Services Consultant
In recognition of distinguished service to libraries in Oregon
through the promotion and support of intellectual freedom

2009
Jean Townes - Albany School District, Teacher Librarian
In recognition of courage in the face of a book challenge

2006
ACLU Oregon
In recognition of outstanding efforts in support of intellectual freedom in Oregon

2000
Heather McNeil - Deschutes Public Library, Youth Services Coordinator
In recognition of distinguished services to libraries in Oregon

1999
Judy Harold
In recognition of distinguished services to libraries in Oregon

1998
Deborah Jacobs and Mary Ginnane - Multnomah County Library
In recognition of distinguished services to libraries in Oregon

1997
Candace Morgan -Intellectual Freedom Activist
In recognition of distinguished services to libraries in Oregon