At Your Library: Freedom of Information Day

Books in a Library

Today is an important day for libraries as it recognizes one of the strongest guidelines for libraries in our country. Freedom of Information Day is an annual event on or near March 16, the birthday of James Madison, who is widely regarded as the “Father of the Constitution” and as the foremost advocate for openness in government.

Each year, the James Madison Award and the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award are presented by the American Library Association on Freedom of Information Day to recognize those individuals or groups that have championed, protected, and promoted public access to government information and the public’s right to know.

 

The ALA awards:

Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award

The award named for Eileen Cooke, former director of the ALA’s Washington office, honors an extraordinary leader who has built local grassroots and awareness of the importance of access to information. Cooke herself was a tireless advocate for the public’s right to know and a mentor to many librarians and trustees.

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James Madison Award

The award named for President James Madison was established in 1986 and is presented annually on the anniversary of his birth. This award is designed to celebrate an individual or group that has brought awareness to these issues at the national level.

 

Madison is also hailed as being instrumental in the drafting of the United States Constitution and as the key champion and author of the United States Bill of Rights. Individual rights and freedom of information were of high importance to Madison.

He was born James Madison Jr. on March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia. Madison died on June 28, 1836 at his Montpelier Estate.

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States of America, serving from 1809 to 1817.

The Freedom of Information Act was passed into law in 1966.

 

The Cordova Public Library is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Mondays.

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