Unite Against Book Bans Regional Response Volunteers Selected as 2025 ILA Intellectual Freedom Award Recipient
July 31, 2025
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Kristin Pekoll, IFC Staff Liaison
kpekoll@ila.org
The 2025 Illinois Library Association’s (ILA) Intellectual Freedom Award is awarded to the Unite Against Book Bans Regional Response Volunteers, library professionals dedicated to defending intellectual freedom across Illinois. This award, presented by the ILA Intellectual Freedom Commiee, recognizes these volunteers for their outstanding support of fellow librarians and contributions to defending intellectual freedom. The award is sponsored by the Intellectual Freedom Fund, which was established in 2017 in honor of Robert P. Doyle.
In 2023, a coalition of Illinois library organizations, including ILA, AISLE, RAILS, IHLS, and CARLI, began recruiting volunteers for regional teams of local school, academic, and public library staff who would be willing to get involved on a local level to help preserve intellectual freedom. These efforts were made in partnership with Unite Against Book Bans, an ALA initiative working to connect, equip, and mobilize the public to advocate for the right to read. Launched in 2024, these teams of passionate individuals began lending their support and experience to assist librarians and libraries in handling challenges to materials, programs, and resources. Volunteers offer support in a variety of ways, including: leer writing to governing bodies, attending board and community meetings, consultation and/or moral support for peers, and researching or providing specific information/resources in connection with the materials, programs, or resources being challenged.
The Unite Against Book Bans Regional Response Volunteers have already made a significant impact across the state. They were on hand to support libraries such as the Northbrook Public Library, the Sandwich Public Library, the Bourbonnais Public Library, the Mississippi Valley District Library, and others as they handled situations including objections to displays and materials.
The ILA Intellectual Freedom Committee is honored to present this award to the Unite Against Book Bans Regional Response Volunteers, lending their time and passion to support librarians, libraries, and communities throughout Illinois facing challenges to materials, programs, and resources.
The Intellectual Freedom Award will be presented at an awards ceremony during the 2025 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. The conference will take place October 14-16, 2025, in Rosemont, Illinois.
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