University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

October 25, 2001

Contact: Bryant Payne (312) 355-2523; bpayne2@uic.edu

UIC LIBRARIAN RECEIVES INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AWARD

Sharon Hogan, University of Illinois at Chicago librarian, has been selected by the Illinois Library Association to receive its 2001 Intellectual Freedom Award.

Hogan has been outspoken about the ineffectiveness of Internet filters and opposed legislation letting counties set individual obscenity standards that would hamper interlibrary loans across county lines. She was presented with the award at the association's annual conference.

"Libraries play a very important role in safeguarding every citizen's right to read or hear diverse viewpoints and to make up his or her own mind about issues," said Hogan. "We librarians strengthen our defense of intellectual freedom when we work through professional organizations like the Illinois Library Association to oppose censorship and encourage open exchanges of information."

The Illinois Library Association, a not-for-profit educational organization, established the Intellectual Freedom Award in the early 1980s in recognition of librarians' shared responsibility for guarding the freedom to choose what materials shall be available to the public.

Hogan has been praised for her work as chair of the association's Public Policy Committee in supporting intellectual freedom issues.

"I am honored to receive recognition from my colleagues for my work to uphold one of the most important American liberties," said Hogan.

 

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