Awards given by the 
Intellectual Freedom Committee 
 

Intellectual Freedom Award

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Virginia Library Association administers the VLA/SIRS Intellectual Freedom Award, which is donated by SIRS, Inc.

The award will be presented every other year at the annual VLA conference to a recipient selected by the committee. The award consists of $500 and a plaque to the recipient. The award will only be given in those years when the committee feels one is justified.

The first award was presented in November, 1993, to Harvey Eluto of Virginia Beach, a founder of Virginians Against Censorship. The second award was scheduled for Fall, 1995.

Anyone who is actively promoting intellectual freedom in Virginia is eligible for the award (including members of the VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee). Activities within the past five years are eligible. Nominations may be made by anyone in Virginia. Both individuals and groups are encouraged to nominate themselves.

Nominees will be judged on the role they have played in actively promoting intellectual freedom in their sphere of influence and beyond; on the degree to which they exemplify the spirit of intellectual freedom; and on the impact of their efforts to promote intellectual freedom and challenge censorship.

Each nomination should contain extensive support documentation including written, approved, and implemented policies and procedures relating to intellectual freedom, description of intellectual freedom programming activities; documented reports of the role the nominee has played in promoting intellectual freedom, and any other relevant information.

The next VLA/SIRS Award will be made in 2005 and announced at the VLA Conference.

     For nomination forms click here or contact:

     Chair, Intellectual Freedom Committee
     Virginia Library Association
     669 South Washington Avenue
     Alexandria, VA 22314

     (703) 519-7853    FAX (540) 519-7732

VLA/SIRS 2003  Award Winner
 Congressman Rick Boucher

VLA/SIRS 2001  Award Winner
 Neal Wyatt, Chesterfield County Public Library

VLA/SIRS 1999  Award Winner
Douglas Henderson, Director, Loudoun Co. Public Library

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Banned Books Week Awards

The VLA/IFC Banned Books Week Display Contest is designed to foster support for the yearly celebration of Banned Books Week. All libraries throughout the Commonwealth are urged to create a display celebrating our freedom to read. While Banned Books Week typically runs during the last full week in September, the contest begins in early September and runs through October to allow libraries time to develop displays, mount them, and take and develop photographs.

The committee selects as the contest winner the display that best evokes the spirit of Banned Books Week with creativity and educational impact in its content.  Each year the winning library is awarded a certificate of achievement, has their display featured on the IFC website, mentioned, in the VLA Newsletter, and wins a prize from  the following year's Banned Book Kit produced by ALA.

By early September, the committee announces each year's contest and provides an entry form in the VLA Newsletter, VLA and other listservs, and on this web site. This year Banned Books Week will occur during the week of September 25-October 2, 2004.

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The IFC congratulates the following winners, and thanks them along with everyone else who celebrated our freedom to read in the Commonwealth through their public displays!

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Last updated 3/3/04