24 Facts About Judith Krug

Judith Fingeret Krug was an American librarian, freedom of speech proponent, and critic of censorship.

Judith Krug coordinated the effort against the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which was the first attempt by the United States Congress to introduce a form of censorship of speech on the Internet.

Judith Krug strongly opposed the notion that libraries should censor the material that they provide to patrons.

Judith Krug supported laws and policies protecting the confidentiality of library use records.

Judith Krug's efforts led to a partial victory for anti-censorship campaigners; the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the law was constitutional, but that filtering software on computers in public libraries could be turned off if so requested by an adult guardian.

Judith Krug's mother found her and asked what she was doing.

Judith Krug studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1962.

Judith Krug received a Master of Arts degree in library science from the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago.

Judith Krug married Herbert Krug in 1964; they had two children and five grandchildren.

Judith Krug began her library career in 1962 when she began working as a reference librarian at the John Crerar Library in Chicago.

Judith Krug became a research analyst for the American Library Association in 1965, and in 1967 she became director of its Office for Intellectual Freedom upon its foundation.

Judith Krug described the role of the OIF as protection of the right of individuals in the US to have comprehensive availability of information, regardless of those who disapprove of the material itself.

Judith Krug supervised publication of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, the Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, and the events of Banned Books Week.

Judith Krug helped lead the Intellectual Freedom Round Table, the Committee on Professional Ethics, the Freedom to Read Foundation, and the Intellectual Freedom Committee.

In 1969, Judith Krug became the first head of the Freedom to Read Foundation, a sister organization to the OIF.

Judith Krug coordinated opposition to the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which was the first attempt by the United States Congress to introduce a form of censorship of speech on the Internet.

Judith Krug strongly opposed the notion that libraries ought to censor the material that they provide to patrons.

Judith Krug supported laws and policies protecting the confidentiality of library use records.

Judith Krug stated she wished the librarian had adhered to Florida law, but empathized with the situation and said that most individuals would likely have done the same thing.

In 2003, Judith Krug led the challenge to the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act.

Judith Krug's efforts led to a partial victory for the Act's opponents; the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the law was constitutional, but that internet filtering software on computers in public libraries could be turned off if so requested by an adult guardian.

Judith Krug emphasized the need to educate children about morality instead of using online filters to block information from them.

Judith Krug served as chair of the board of directors of the Center for Democracy and Technology, chair of the Media Coalition, vice-chair of the Internet Education Foundation and was a member of the advisory board of GetNetWise.

Judith Krug served on the Boards of Directors of the Fund for Free Expression, the Illinois Division of the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Bar Association's Commission on Public Understanding About the Law, and the Advisory Council of the Illinois State Justice Commission.