Revised November 2017, Executive Board Meeting, Tab 3
Description
A principal tenet of the American Association of Law Libraries is the right of equal access to information for all to ensure an informed citizenry and to promote a just and democratic society. Established in 1998, the Public Access to Government Information Award is given to recognize persons or organizations that have made significant contributions to protect and promote greater public access to government information.
Process
Eligibility
Recipients of the award may be an individual or organization. Members of the AALL Government Relations Office are not eligible. Recipients need not be law librarians or members of AALL.
Administration
The Public Access to Government Information Award shall be administered by the AALL Government Relations Committee. The Government Relations Committee shall solicit and review nominations for the award. The committee will choose one individual or group recipient each year for the PAGI Award, or no recipient if it deems none of the nominees sufficiently qualified.
Judging Criteria
- A contribution that significantly improves public access to government information, thereby increasing the public’s knowledge about the workings of government. The award is given in accordance with AALL’s mission to provide leadership in the field of legal information and to promote equal access to government information. The award will reflect this by honoring the achievements of those who have championed public access.
- The extent to which the individual or organization has had a positive impact on protecting and promoting public access to governmental information.
- The extent to which the effort advances the AALL mission and Government Relations Policy.
Application Information
The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2024. Please email the nomination form and supporting documentation as a single PDF to Christopher Siwa.
Download the Public Access to Government Information Nomination Form
Nominations
The Government Relations Committee will review the nominations and make a final decision on who will receive the award. Each nominee shall be considered individually and confidentially and will be judged according to the criteria listed above. Sources of information for the committee about a candidate include the nominating letter(s) and recommendation(s) from the Government Relations Committee. To ensure confidentiality, contact with members of AALL other than the person(s) nominating and Government Relations Committee members should be avoided.
Frequency and number of awards: The award may be presented annually, but there is no requirement that the award be given each year.
Award Presentation
The award shall be presented during the AALL Annual Meeting, and it will be given in the name of the Association. It will consist of an appropriate memorial to honor the achievements of the individual or organization.
Recipients
2020 - 2023 2023
University of Wisconsin Law Library
Digital Publication of Tribal Laws Pilot Project
In partnership with the National Indian Law Library, the Open Law Library, the Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians
2022
Deborah Hamilton
Strategic Services Librarian – Law Collection
Pikes Peak Library District
Colorado Springs, COUnderstanding Eviction and How Libraries Can Help
2021
Mike Lissner
Executive Director
Free Law Project
Oakland, CAFree Law Project
2020
Jeremy J. McCabe
Research Services Librarian
Georgetown University Law Library
Washington, DCLeah Prescott
Associate Director for Digital Initiatives and Special Collections
Georgetown University Law Library
Washington, DCForeign Intelligence Law Collection
2010 - 2019 2019
Carl Malamud
President and Founder of Public.Resource.Org
Healdsburg, CAPublic.Resource.Org
2018
Kyle K. Courtney
Copyright Advisorand the
State Copyright Resource Center Team
Harvard University Library
Cambridge, MA2017
Laura J. Orr
Legal Research Library Consultant
Portland, ORSuperseded Oregon Revised Statutes 1953-1993 Digitization Project
2016
Florida Academic Law Libraries
F.A.L.L. Digitized Legal Collections
In recognition of outstanding, grass-roots cooperation to make state legal information available electronically.
2015
Mary Alice Baish
Superintendent of Documents
Government Publishing Office
Washington, DC2014
Mississippi College of Law Library
Jackson, MSLegislative History Project
2013
Aaron Swartz, Awarded Posthumously
Internet Activist, co-founder of Demand Progress
New York, NYFor his dedication to promoting and protecting public access to government information
2012
Michele Timmons
Revisor of Statutes
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes
St. Paul, MNChair, Drafting Committee for the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (UELMA)
2011
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)
Washington, DC2010
Legal Information Institute
Cornell Law School
Ithaca, NY1999 - 2009 2009
The Sunlight Foundation
Washington, DC2008
Gary D. Bass
Executive Director
Washington, DCOMB Watch
2007
Cathy Hartman
University of North Texas LibrariesUniversity of North Texas (UNT) Government Documents Web site
John Joergensen
Rutgers University Law School LibraryRutgers-Camden Law School Library Digital Project
2006
The National Indian Law Library (www.narf.org)
Steven Aftergood
Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org)2005
Ayn Crawley
Director
Maryland Legal Assistance Network (www.peoples-law.org)2004
Senator Conrad Burns
Michael O. Leavitt
Senator Joseph I. Liebermanwww.regulations.gov
2003
University of Georgia Libraries
Athens, GAGeorgia Government Publications.
Virginia Department of Planning and Budget
Richmond, VAVirginia Regulatory Town Hall.
2002
U.S. General Services Administration
Washington, DCFirstgov
2001
None awarded
2000
Library of Congress
Thomas
1999
United States Government Printing Office
GPO Access