Free Expression Community Loses a Champion: Judith F. Krug

News of the death of Judith F. Krug, the head of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, on Saturday, April 11, has been met with an outpouring of tributes throughout the book industry and beyond. Krug died at age 69 of stomach cancer.

As executive director of ALA's Freedom to Read Foundation and director of the Office of Intellectual Freedom for more than 40 years, Krug "worked tirelessly to guarantee the rights of individuals to express ideas and read the ideas of others without governmental interference," said a memorial on the ALA website. "Through her unwavering support of writers, teachers, librarians, and above all, students, she has advised countless numbers of librarians and trustees in dealing with challenges to library material. She has been involved in multiple First Amendment cases that have gone all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In addition, she was the founder of Banned Books Week, an annual week-long event that celebrates the freedom to choose and the freedom to express one's opinion."

Among the organizations that worked closely with Krug over the years on First Amendment issues were the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, Media Coalition, and Free Expression Network.

"The First Amendment didn't have a stronger friend -- or more effective advocate -- than Judy Krug," said ABA COO Oren Teicher. "I first met Judy almost 23 years ago and had the privilege of watching her in action all these years. She was relentless in her defense of free speech. And she never ever hesitated in opposing any compromise when it came to the First Amendment. She took on some mighty powerful interests over the years, and, with both passion and humor, she disarmed the most vocal opponents. The library community -- and all us committed to free expression -- have lost a friend and an irreplaceable champion."

Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, said, "Judith Krug was one of the most important leaders of the free speech community in the second half of the 20th century. She was constantly on the road defending her librarians, even when that meant injecting herself into local controversies where her physical safety was at risk. Her courage will always be an inspiration to defenders of free speech." As principal players in Media Coalition, "we fought many battles together," Finan added.

"The loss of Judith is a huge blow to everyone in Media Coalition and in the free speech world," said a statement from David Horowitz, executive director of Media Coalition. "She was such a strong believer that the threat of censorship to one medium or manner of distribution was a threat to all. I'm honored to have both worked for her and to have worked beside her, but I'm even more honored to know beyond being colleagues we were friends."

"Judith Krug's death is a loss for all of us," said Pat Schroeder, AAP President and CEO, in a statement. "She strongly believed in the natural alliance between librarians and publishers in defending the right to read. She was a marvelous ambassador for the library community."

Among Krug's many honors were the Joseph P. Lippincott Award, the Irita Van Doren Award, the Harry Kalven Freedom of Expression Award, and most recently the William J. Brennan, Jr. award, from the Thomas Jefferson Center for Free Expression.

Krug was born in Pittsburgh. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and received a Masters degree from the University of Chicago.

Krug is survived by her husband, Herbert, and children Steven (Denise) of Northbrook and Michelle (David) Litchman of Glencoe and five grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Jay (Ilene) Fingeret and Dr. Arnold (Denise) Fingeret of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Dr. Howard Katzman of Miami, Florida. A sister, Susan (Steve) Pavsner of Bethesda, Maryland, predeceased her.

Services were held on Tuesday, April 14, at Beth Emet Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial contributions be made to The Freedom to Read Foundation, 50 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611, or www.ftrf.org.