Freedom to Read Foundation Announces 2025 Election Results

For immediate release
Chicago, IL
June 4, 2025

Freedom to Read Foundation Announces 2025 Election Results

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF), a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association, concluded its annual election on April 30, 2024. FTRF members elected five people to its Board of Trustees for two-year terms that begin on June 27, 2024. Since 1969, FTRF trustees, staff, and members have been dedicated to protecting and defending each person’s First Amendment right to access information through education, litigation, and advocacy.

FTRF President Sophia Sotilleo responded to the election results with the following message.

”On behalf of the Freedom to Read Foundation, I am delighted to welcome you to the Board of Trustees. We are honored to have you join us in our shared mission to protect and promote freedom of expression, the right to access information, and the defense of intellectual freedom. Your dedication to these core values—and the experience you bring—will strengthen our efforts to uphold the First Amendment and to ensure that libraries and readers remain free from censorship. As a trustee, your leadership and voice will be crucial as we continue our advocacy, legal support, and education initiatives. We are excited to have you as part of the team and look forward to working with you to protect the rights that lie at the heart of a free and informed society. Welcome, and thank you for standing with us in defense of the freedom to read.”

The newly elected trustees are as follows:

AnnaLee Dragon

Executive Director of the New York Library Association and a career librarian for 20 years, has been elected to a two-year term. Upon her election, she remarked, “I’m honored to be joining such an esteemed group of people in the fight for intellectual freedom. Now more than ever, it is important for those in the library and literacy worlds to be speaking truth to power about what is at stake when the fundamental right to read is threatened.”

Corey Fleming

Director of the Paterson Free Public Library, an urban library system, has been elected to a two-year term. Upon his election, he commented, “I am honored at the prospect of serving on the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) Board. I am committed to ardently advocating for the rights of libraries, librarians, and the communities they serve, working to ensure equitable access to information for all. I look forward to bringing my passion, experience, and dedication to support and strengthen the Foundation’s vital mission.”

Christine Kujawa

Library Director for the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library in North Dakota, has been reelected to a two-year term. Upon her election, she said, “I am honored to be re-elected to the FTRF board. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to uphold FTRF’s mission of supporting librarians in providing free and open access to information.”

Barbara Stripling

Past president of the American Association of School Librarians, the American Library Association, and the Freedom to Read Foundation, has been reelected to a two-year term. Upon her election, she remarked, “I am extremely honored to be elected to the FTRF Board.  We are engaged in a critical fight to defend and promote the First Amendment rights of all members of our communities.  I will be unwavering in my commitment to our mission - we will prevail.”

Jim Neal

University Librarian Emeritus at Columbia University and the FTRF Board of Trustees Treasurer has been reelected to a two-year term. Upon his election, he said, “Honored to continue the battle for the Freedom to Read as a member of the Board. We need to expand awareness, participation and support.”

Kent Oliver

Senior Fellow with ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office and recently retired Director of the Nashville Public Library, has been reelected to a two-year term. Upon his election, he commented, “It’s a privilege and honor to be re-elected to the FTRF Board. As we all know and see every day our work has never been more important. I look forward to the challenge.”

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is led by a board of fifteen trustees. The term for an elected trustee is two years, and board members may serve two consecutive terms. Trustees meet at least twice a year in conjunction with the ALA conferences or professional development events and hold virtual committee meetings throughout the year. If you are interested in working with the Freedom to Read Foundation visit us at www.ftrf.org or email jmcintosh@ala.org for information on how to become involved.