[MNASIS-L] Colleen Coghlan FOI award

[Ann Treacy]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  - FEBRUARY 12, 2006


 


COGHLAN RECEIVES FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AWARD


 

Librarian Colleen Coghlan is recipient of the 2006 John R. Freedom of
Information Award conferred by the Minnesota Coalition on Government
Information.  Coghlan is most recently a member of the faculty of the
Library Science Department at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul.  She
has also served during the 1980's and 90's as University Librarian for
Metropolitan State University where she described herself as "the librarian
without a library in the University without walls."

 

A stalwart defender of the First Amendment and open access to public
information Coghlan has spoken and written extensively on access issues;
her letters appear regularly (though less often than they are written) on
the op-ed pages of the local press.  As an educator Coghlan has introduced
generations of students to the principles of freedom of information and the
role of an informed citizenry in a democracy.

 

The award will be presented at the 2006 Freedom of Information Day awards
ceremony on Thursday, March 16, 2006, in the Atrium of Couer de Catherine
Center at the College of St. Catherine.  A reception  honoring the lifetime
achievements of Coghlan will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the awards ceremony set
for 7:00.  The award will be presented by Donald A. Gemberling, recipient of
the 2005 award for his longtime enforcement and enhancement of the State
Data Practices Act.  

 

The ceremony event is sponsored by the Coalition each year on March 16, the
birth date of James Madison, advocate for the citizens' right to know.  The
awards ceremony and reception are open to the public.   Reservations ($10)
required.  Call 651 690 6649.

 

Since 1989 the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information has sponsored
the annual Freedom of Information Award.  The award is named in honor of
John R. Finnegan, Sr.  retired senior vice president of the St. Paul Pioneer
Press, co-founder and chair of the Minnesota Joint Media Committee.  It
recognizes Finnegan's dedication to openness in government and work on
behalf of the people's right to know.

 

The Minnesota Coalition on Government Information is an interest group of
individuals and organizations committed to open access to public information
in print, electronic and digital format.  It is modeled on a national
coalition initiated in 1986 by the American Library Association.  On Freedom
of Information Day 2005 the American Library Association named the Minnesota
Coalition on Government Information as the inaugural recipient of the Eileen
Cooke State and Local Madison Award, named to honor the Minnesota native and
long-time Washington spokesperson for libraries.   

 

 

Contact:  

 

Mary Treacy

mtreacy (at) onvoy.com        612 781 4234

 

 

Ann Treacy
Treacy Information Services
1841 Fairmount Ave
St Paul MN 55105
612-670-3087
www.treacyinfo.com
atreacy at treacyinfo.com