News from Illinois Library Association

Issue: # 16

April 12, 2009

Judith F. Krug passed away on Saturday in Evanston after a courageous battle with cancer, her family reported. The services will be on Tuesday, 14 April at 10:00 a.m. at Beth Emet Synagogue, 1224 Dempster St., Evanston, Ill., followed by interment at Shalom Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Freedom to Read Foundation, 50 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611, or www.ftrf.org.

No person is more closely identified with libraries and the cause of intellectual freedom than Krug, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom since it was founded in 1967.

During that time, Krug advised countless numbers of librarians and trustees in dealing with challenges to library materials. She helped to found the Freedom to Read Foundation and served as its executive director since 1969. She was a noted speaker and author in the area of intellectual freedom.

In addition to her ALA responsibilities, Krug served as a Senator of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, chair of the Board of Directors of the Center for Democracy and Technology, chair of The Media Coalition, vice-chair of the Internet Education Foundation, and a member of the Advisory Board of GetNetWise. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the Fund for Free Expression, the Board of Directors of the Illinois Division of the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Bar Association's Commission on Public Understanding About the Law, and the Advisory Council of the Illinois State Justice Commission.

Her others honors include the Irita Van Doren Award, presented by the American Booksellers Association; the Harry Kalven Freedom of Expression Award, presented by the American Civil Liberties Union to the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association; the Robert B. Downs Award for her outstanding contribution to the cause of intellectual freedom in libraries; the Carl Sandburg "Freedom to Read" Award, presented by the Friends of the Chicago Public Library; the Open Book Award, presented by the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union; the President's Award of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union; the Intellectual Freedom Award of the Illinois Library Association; the Ohio Educational Library Media Association/SIRS Award for Intellectual Freedom; the Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Award; the Joseph W. Lippincott Award for distinguished service to the library profession; and the William J. Brennan Jr. Award, presented by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression. In 2005, Krug received an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Humane Letters, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Born in Pittsburgh, Krug graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and received a Masters degree from the University of Chicago.

She is survived by her husband Herbert and her loving children Steven (Denise) of Northbrook, and Michelle (David) Litchman of Glencoe and five adoring grandchildren: Jessica, Sydney, Hannah, Rachel and Jason. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers, Jay (Ilene) Fingeret and Dr. Arnold (Denise) Fingeret of Pittsburgh PA, and her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Dr. Howard Katzman of Miami, Fla. She was preceded in death by her sister Susan (Steve) Pavsner of Bethesda, Md.

The Associated Press article.

Surviving in a Tough Economy: An Advocacy Institute Workshop

Friday, July 10, 2009, 2:00-5:00 p.m., Harold Washington Library

Can libraries make it through the economic crisis? Yes, we can! Learn how some libraries can survive -- and even thrive -- during a tough economy. Hear success stories, get the latest tips, and learn how to better advocate for your library in this difficult financial time. Breakout sessions will focus on budgets, coalition building, and more. This Advocacy Institute workshop is brought to you by the ALA Committee on Library Advocacy.

Advanced registration is economically priced at $25.

Space is limited - register now! You need not be registered for the ALA Annual Conference to attend. For more information and to register, please visit, http://www.ala.org/advocacyinstitute.

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Sincerely,

Robert P. Doyle
Illinois Library Association

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