2002 Annual Report

2002 Annual Report of the Intellectual Freedom Committee

November 22, 2002

This was a rebuilding year for the Intellectual Freedom Committee. Our two activities were (1) rebuilding the committee membership and (2) presenting the biannual intellectual freedom award.

1. Rebuilding the committee membership
SCLA President Jeanette Bergeron asked me to chair the Committee and suggested several names for Committee members. I was able to recruit five members, who are listed below:

Steve Johnson, Chair
Clemson University

Debra Kaniaris
Pickens County Library

Patricia Pace
Anderson County Library

John Summer
Francis Marion University

Catherine Wiggins
Chapin Memorial Library, Myrtle Beach

2. Presenting the biannual intellectual freedom award.

A call for nominations was posted on the SCLA Web page and the SCLA list in August. Several names were discussed in various circles, but only one official nomination was received. Carl Stone, director of the Anderson County Library and a long-time and active member of the SCLA board was chosen. The award was presented at the joint SCLA-SELA convention awards brunch on October 26.

In lieu of meetings, the Committee communicated via email. This seemed to work pretty well.

MAJOR PLANS FOR 2003

We need to recruit one or two new people and then decide on terms of office and post these on the SCLA Web page. No award will be given during 2003. The IFC chair for 2003 needs to attend board meetings and maintain awareness of intellectual freedom issues, particularly in regard to Internet filtering and homeland security.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Johnson, Chair
Intellectual Freedom Committee
South Carolina Library Association