Hello IFRT Members!!
As you consider casting your ballots in the ALA elections for our IFRT Candidates, we hope you'll review these statements by our candidates for the roles of Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Secretary. Thanks again to all of our candidates for their willingness to stand for election and serve our wonderful IFRT Community!
Introductions:
For Chair-Elect/Vice Chair:
@Jennifer Steele: Dr. Jennifer Steele is an Assistant Professor in the School of Information Studies at Louisiana State University. Before joining LSU, she was an Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi and has several years of experience working as an academic librarian. She earned both her MLIS degree and her Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from The University of Alabama, completing the degrees in 2013 and 2017 respectively. Her doctoral dissertation was titled Censorship in Public Libraries: An Analysis Using Gatekeeping Theory. Her research focuses on issues related to intellectual freedom, censorship, and information access in a variety of library settings, including public libraries, academic libraries, as well as prison libraries.
Dr. Steele has been a member of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table since 2019, serving on its Executive Committee since 2020. Her time on the Executive Committee includes two years as Treasurer and chairing several IFRT committees, including Bylaws and Organization Committee, Membership Promotion Committee, and Program Committee.
Additionally, Dr. Steele currently serves as the Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, the official publication of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, having served on its Editorial Board since 2022.
@Cassandra Taylor: I'm Cassandra, and I love libraries and everyone in them! I earned a Master of Library Science from Middle Tennessee State University in 2019 and am currently enrolled in the University of Tennessee- Knoxville's Master of Information Science program and will graduate in 2026. I have been with the Rutherford County Library System since 2018 and am the new Branch Manager and Librarian of the Smyrna Public Library.
For Secretary:
@Erin Coughlin: I am the circulation manager at Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, in Ankeny, Iowa, which is a suburb of Des Moines. Previously I was director of two small, rural communities: Cambridge, Iowa, and Nevada, Iowa. I'm a former high school and college English instructor, and came to librarianship as a second career after leaving public education in 2019. I have a master's degree in English from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and an MLIS from the University of Iowa. I am deeply passionate about lifelong learning, committed to serving others, and driven to ensure equitable access to information, resources, and services for all.
@Aimee Strittmatter: Aimee Strittmatter currently serves as Executive Director of 826CHI, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Chicago students from under-resourced communities with high-quality writing and publishing program in creative, welcoming spaces.
She recently supported the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom as a project manager where she helped launch the Law for Librarians/Lawyers for Libraries initiative and the statewide Intellectual Freedom Helplines. She also served as staff liaison to the IFRT from July 2023 – June 2025, providing organizational knowledge and administrative support.
Additionally, Aimee served as Executive Director for the Association for Library Service to Children, a Division of the ALA where she strongly advocated for library service to children at the national level with Congressional staff; built long-term strategic partnerships with numerous national youth-serving organizations and secured critical funding to advance and expand the reach of the association.
Why do you want to serve in this position, and what unique skills or perspectives do you bring to the role?
For Chair-Elect/Vice Chair:
Jennifer Steele: I am seeking the opportunity to serve as Chair-Elect of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table because I believe deeply in the foundational role intellectual freedom plays in librarianship and in a democratic society. At a time when libraries and library workers are navigating complex challenges related to censorship, access, and equity, I am motivated to help strengthen a community of professionals who are committed to upholding the core values articulated by the American Library Association. Serving in this role would allow me to contribute meaningfully to advancing dialogue, professional development, and practical support for those engaged in this critical work.
Professionally, I bring experience in academic librarianship, research, and national service within ALA and ACRL. My work has centered on understanding how institutional structures, policy, and professional culture shape librarians' confidence and capacity to carry out their responsibilities. This perspective is particularly relevant to intellectual freedom, where policy knowledge, ethical clarity, and professional support systems are essential. I am attentive to how intellectual freedom intersects with issues such as accessibility, inclusive practice, and scholarly communication, and I value approaching these topics with nuance, evidence, and respect for diverse viewpoints.
I also bring strong organizational and leadership skills developed through committee work and collaborative projects. I am experienced in facilitating meetings, coordinating initiatives across distributed teams, and translating broad goals into actionable plans. As an educator in adult services and public librarianship, I am committed to mentoring emerging professionals and fostering thoughtful, informed conversations about the profession's core values. I would approach the Chair-Elect role with a collaborative spirit, strategic mindset, and a deep respect for the Round Table's history and mission.
Ultimately, I see this position as an opportunity to listen carefully, build connections, and help ensure that the Intellectual Freedom Round Table remains a vibrant, supportive, and forward-looking space within ALA.
Cassandra Taylor: My interest in intellectual freedom issues stems from my deep commitment to ensuring equitable access to information and protecting the right to read. Since 2018, I have held supervisory roles in both public and academic libraries and have been a dedicated member of the Tennessee Library Association's (TNLA) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, serving as chair from 2022 to 2024. I have also worked with the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the TNLA since 2021 and served as the chair for 2024.I am also the organizer of March for Libraries and received the 2025 ALA EBSCO Professional Development Award for the program, as sponsored for 2026 by Library Freedom Project. I am also the recipient of the Freedom to Read Foundation's 2025 Conable Scholarship.
For Secretary:
Erin Coughlin: I want to serve in this position because I want to contribute to this profession in a meaningful way while advocating for something I'm passionate about. I completed the ARSL Leadership Institute as a 2025 Graduate, but I no longer serve in small or rural libraries, so I want to bring the skills I learned through that program to serve others in my profession in meaningful ways through the ALA. I believe my career as a high school English instructor really gave me a unique perspective on young adult literature. I saw so many teens who "hated" to read as juniors and seniors until I instituted daily reading time and gave them freedom to read whatever they chose. When they found books they could relate to, many rediscovered the joy of reading. This was a pivotal point in my career that wound up leading me to public librarianship.
Aimee Strittmatter: ALA is undergoing accelerated organizational transformation during a turbulent political and social time. Units across ALA, including Round Tables, are being asked to assess programs and services to ensure the immediate and emerging needs of libraries and library workers will be met.
Having served as both a long-time ALA staff member and an ALA member since 1999, I bring a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the organization's structure, relationships, and potential for collaboration across units. My work with IFRT through the Law for Librarians (L4L) program has also given me direct insight into the questions and challenges library workers are facing on the front lines. I would welcome ethe opportunity to contribute that experience and perspective to support IFRT's work at this critical time.
How do you see IFRT's role in defending against book bans and censorship efforts across the country?
For Chair-Elect/Vice Chair:
Jennifer Steele: I see IFRT's role as both principled and practical in responding to book bans and censorship efforts across the country. Grounded in the policies and guidance of the American Library Association and the work of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, IFRT is uniquely positioned to serve as a community of practice that not only affirms the profession's commitment to intellectual freedom, but also equips members with the tools and confidence to uphold it locally.
First, IFRT plays an important role in education and professional development. Many librarians-particularly those early in their careers or working in politically complex environments-need clear, practical guidance on policies, reconsideration procedures, and communication strategies. IFRT can amplify model policies, host conversations that translate core documents such as the Library Bill of Rights into everyday practice, and create space for members to share real-world experiences and lessons learned.
Second, IFRT can foster solidarity and reduce professional isolation. Book challenges often place individual library workers in highly visible and stressful positions. By cultivating networks of support, highlighting success stories, and connecting members to national resources, IFRT can help librarians feel less alone and more empowered to stand firm in their professional ethics.
Third, IFRT has a critical role in thought leadership. As censorship efforts evolve-whether through coordinated campaigns, legislative initiatives, or digital content challenges-the Round Table can convene discussions that examine emerging trends, legal developments, and ethical tensions. This includes grappling thoughtfully with the intersections of intellectual freedom, equity, access, and community engagement, ensuring our responses are both principled and responsive.
Finally, IFRT can serve as a bridge-between theory and practice, between national policy and local implementation, and between different types of libraries. By maintaining a clear commitment to intellectual freedom while encouraging respectful dialogue, IFRT can help the profession respond to book bans not only defensively, but proactively-by reaffirming why access to diverse ideas remains central to the mission of libraries.
In this moment, IFRT's role is to be steady, informed, and collaborative: a space that strengthens librarians' resolve, sharpens our collective understanding, and advances the enduring value of intellectual freedom in every community.
Cassandra Taylor: As we enter this new realm of state-focused legislation to hinder the librarian's ability to develop a collection, the Intellectual Freed Roundtable's future role for all librarians should be one of liaison by connecting librarians to the correct person or group needed to properly advocate, understand, and navigate not only book ban challenges, but any issues that arise when decisions of reconsideration come to lie only with the library board and are no longer within the hands of the library director.
For Secretary:
Erin Coughlin: I would like to see IFRT take an even more public stance in support of librarians and libraries facing censorship and book bans. In Iowa, we are seeing a wave of proposed anti-library legislation. While our state association is doing remarkable work in that fight, individual libraries and librarians could benefit from more direct support as they confront these challenges. I suspect similar situations are unfolding in other states across the country. Beyond the excellent resources and tools that IFRT and ALA already provide, establishing regular networking groups for librarians facing censorship could be incredibly valuable-offering opportunities to collaborate, share experiences, and support one another. The ALA and IFRT are doing important work on a national scale and providing structured time and space for smaller-scale, peer-to-peer connections would strengthen support for frontline librarians and advocates.
Aimee Strittmatter: IFRT works to strengthen the field's collective response to book bans and censorship by fostering communication, learning, and professional connection among ALA members. IFRT can play an important role in closing IF learning gaps from emerging and veteran librarians and library workers. By creating opportunities to share timely information, highlighting resources from ALA and the Office for Intellectual Freedom, and providing forums for thoughtful discussion and recognition of individuals and organizations taking on important IF work, IFRT can help library workers better understand the legal, ethical, and practical aspects of intellectual freedom landscape and be proactively prepare for and defend against any challenges that develop in their own communities.
Are there any new initiatives or projects you would like to introduce within IFRT?
For Chair-Elect/Vice Chair:
Jennifer Steele: If elected, I would be interested in pursuing a small number of focused, sustainable initiatives that strengthen IFRT's visibility, deepen member engagement, and provide practical support to librarians navigating intellectual freedom challenges.
First, I would explore developing an "IFRT in Practice" virtual series-short, accessible programs featuring practitioners from public, school, academic, and special libraries who can speak candidly about how they have addressed challenges, policy development, community engagement, and staff training. While national guidance is essential, members often benefit most from hearing how colleagues translate principles into action in specific contexts. This series could also create a structured opportunity to connect members with resources from the Office for Intellectual Freedom and align with the broader advocacy priorities of the American Library Association.
Second, I would like to strengthen mentorship and leadership pathways within IFRT. Many early- and mid-career librarians care deeply about intellectual freedom but are unsure how to get involved at the national level. Establishing a light-touch mentorship or "pathways to service" initiative-pairing experienced IFRT members with newer professionals-could cultivate future leaders while broadening participation and perspectives within the Round Table.
Third, I would be interested in supporting the development of a curated resource hub that organizes key policies, programming ideas, and scholarly research related to intellectual freedom in one easily navigable space. Rather than duplicating existing materials, IFRT could serve as a guidepost-helping members quickly locate authoritative documents, talking points, and continuing education opportunities.
Finally, I believe IFRT has an opportunity to host more facilitated conversations around emerging issues at the intersection of intellectual freedom, equity, and evolving technologies. Creating intentional spaces for thoughtful dialogue-grounded in professional ethics and mutual respect-can help the Round Table remain forward-looking while staying rooted in its core mission.
Overall, any initiative I would support would prioritize collaboration, sustainability, and alignment with IFRT's existing strengths. My goal would not be to expand for the sake of expansion, but to ensure that IFRT remains a vibrant, responsive, and welcoming home for those committed to advancing intellectual freedom in all types of libraries.
Cassandra Taylor: New ways to organize and inspire local library professionals to advocate for their library through public demonstrations, talking to elected officials, creating local professional associations, and labor organizations.
For Secretary:
Erin Coughlin: Beyond what I mentioned above, I'd like to see IFRT and ALA also do more to engage young adults directly in the fight against censorship. By partnering with libraries, educators, and student leaders nationwide, an initiative that would mobilize young people to lead community conversations, support local advocacy efforts, and launch creative digital campaigns that defend the freedom to read would be incredibly powerful. This would amplify diverse voices, protect equitable access to information, and empower the next generation to stand up for intellectual freedom in their schools and communities.
Aimee Strittmatter: Given ALA's current environment and the demands on volunteer leader and staff time, I would be cautious about introducing entirely new initiatives. New projects often require significant investments of time, energy, and resources. Instead, I believe our focus should be on strengthening and reimagining existing IFRT programs and services. The IFRT Executive Committee has spent this year thoughtfully considering this, and I would welcome the opportunity to help bring that work to completion. For example, we might explore how the Oboler and Gerald Hodges Chapter Relations Award could be leveraged to further highlight effective advocacy and share best practice across the field. I think strengthening what we already do well can ensure that IFRT programs directly support and add value for library workers defending intellectual freedom in libraries.
We also had a question from the attendees that the candidates did not get a chance to answer. They may chime in on this thread with their responses. The question is:
This year there has been occasion when the Round Table Executive Committee has not agreed with ALA's Executive Board. They are doing hard things. We have been asked to do hard things. What do you do when your loyalty is conflicted or how do you lead through tough times?
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Amanda Sand
amandasand.lib@gmail.com | 712-540-5148
she|her
Principal Consultant, Library Leverage,
www.libraryleverage.com------------------------------