The Gordon M. Conable Memorial Fund

The Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship is an annual award that allows a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's Annual Conference.  The scholarship is supported entirely by the Conable Fund. Please consider a donation to the Conable Fund and lend your support to the next generation of First Amendment advocates in libraries.

About Gordon Conable

Gordon M. Conable, then-President of the Freedom to Read Foundation, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 12, 2005, as he was preparing to attend the FTRF Board Meeting at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston. Gordon was an unsurpassed champion of intellectual freedom, a wise and generous mentor to many, a consummate librarian, and a true leader of our profession. He gave many years of dedicated service to the Foundation, serving as Treasurer, Vice-President, and seven years as President.  He was added to the FTRF Roll of Honor in 1996.

Gordon was executive vice president for public libraries at Library Systems and Services (LSSI) in Riverside, CA. He was responsible for management and performance of LSSI's public library contracts, including the 30-branch Riverside County, CA system. He was previously director of the Monroe County, MI, Library System, where he stood strong for the principles of intellectual freedom, never so much as in 1992, when he weathered an intense controversy over Madonna's book Sex. Before that he was associate director of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library in Washington. Above all things, Gordon cherished and adored his wife, Irene, and their son, Ted. 

In Gordon's memory, his family and FTRF set up the Conable Fund, which provides support for the Conable Conference Scholarship. In addition, the Public Library Association created the Gordon M. Conable Award, sponsored by LSSI, which recognizes public libraries and librarians who have demonstrated a commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights.