The following statement was released by PEN American Center upon the passing of Judith Krug on April 11, 2009.

PEN joins with the American Library Association and with readers, writers, and First Amendment defenders around the country in mourning the death of Judith Krug, Director of the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director of the ALA’s Freedom to Read Foundation.

Judith Krug was one of our most knowledgeable, effective, and passionate allies in the fight against censorship at the local, state, and national level for more than 40 years. From defending neighborhood library collections against would-be censors to protecting freedom of expression on the Internet, she leaves a free expression legacy that literally reaches into every community and household in the United States.

A true beacon in the free expression community, a tremendous champion of books and literature, and, for many of us, a wonderful and trusted friend, she will be deeply and dearly missed.

Larry Siems
Director, Freedom to Write and International Programs
PEN American Center


>> American Library Association: The Passing of Judith Krug

>> The New York Times: Judith Krug, Who Fought Ban on Books, Dies at 69