2003
Jerilynn Adams Williams
Montgomery County Memorial Library System
Willis, Texas

2002
William M. Holda, Ed.D.
Director
Kilgore College
Kilgore, Texas

Comments: SIRS Publishing, Inc. together with the Texas Library Association continue to foster and nourish intellectual freedom in this country. The SIRS/TLA Intellectual Freedom Award is something I will cherish for years to come and which reminds me to faithfully support the principles for which it stands.

2000
Linda Hughes
Wichita Falls Public Library
Wichita Falls, TX

1999
Judy Thomas
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

"In my three lives as an English teacher, librarian and university
professor, words have been the central core of my daily reality. Those who
value words must hallow them each day for their beauty, truth and courage,
guarding and defending their right to exist."

"Thanks to SIRS for enlisting in this campaign and partnering with those who
defend words."
 

1998
Cynthia Bennett
Lewisville Public Library,
Lewisville, TX

"As with many areas of life, no one person is responsible, even when she is the one being recognized. I am fortunate to have a husband, a son and parents who are very supportive. Our incredible staff researched and prepared information during the process, and kept our libraries running 'business as usual' while I spent most of my time on the telephone, in interviews and meetings. No one could have a Library Board more unified in defending our citizen's right to information, while the Board Chairman dealt with much more flack than I did. I am very proud of my City Council Members who voted to uphold the First Amendment rights of the magazine in question, and to keep open access to all information for all our patrons. I certainly appreciate this prestigious award, for it is recognition by organizations like SIRS, Inc. that helps to keep the freedom to read alive across the country. Thank you."
 

1997
Mary Ellen Scribner
Westwood High School
Austin, TX

"Telling our students what they may or may not read says to them that we have no faith in their ability to make distinctions between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, 'good' and 'bad,' and it denies them the requisite experience to ever fully develop these abilities."

1996
Eileen Dunne
Abilene Independent School District
Angleton, TX

1995
El Paso Public Library Board Association
El Paso, TX

1994
Laura Edwards
Coppell High School
Coppell, TX

1993
Kathy Ritterhouse
Grand Prairie Memorial Library
Grand Prairie, TX

1992
Dr. Jocelyn Chadwick-Joshua
University of North Texas

1991
David Bates
Public Information Officer
Houston Public Library, Houston TX

1990
Pamela G. Bonnell
Schimelpfenig Public Library
Plano, TX