Washington Township High School English Teachers Honored with NJ Library Association Intellectual Freedom Awards

In the attached photo, Kevin Parker (left) and Donna Pancari (center) pose with New Jersey Library Association Subcommittee Chair Judith Pissano after receiving the NJLA Intellectual Freedom Award.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Washington Township High School English teachers Donna Pancari and Kevin Parker recently received a 2023 New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) Intellectual Freedom Award at a ceremony held June 1 at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City.

The NJLA Intellectual Freedom Awards recognize and honor outstanding contributions to intellectual freedom by individuals or institutions. The NJLA recognized Pancari and Parker’s commitment to demonstrating leadership and courage by resisting and opposing censorship and violations of intellectual freedom. The NJLA Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee selects the recipients of the award. Pancari and Parker were nominated by Judith Pissano, the NJLA Subcommittee Chair.

According to the American Library Association, intellectual freedom “is the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.”  

Criteria for receiving the award includes:
•    Individuals or institutions having demonstrated leadership and courage in defending and promoting the principles of intellectual freedom.
•    Individuals or institutions having demonstrated leadership and courage by resisting and opposing censorship or other violations of intellectual freedom.
•    Individuals or institutions having produced innovative and creative projects, programs or materials which promote the principles of intellectual freedom.

- WTPS -