Toni Samek

Dr. Toni Samek is a Professor at the University of Alberta's School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS), part of the Faculty of Education within the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. She currently holds a Scholar-in-Residence position at Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Free Expression (CFE) (2024–2025). Her expertise spans information ethics, intellectual freedom, and librarianship, with particular focus on intercultural and global dimensions. She has led SLIS through a successful 2020 MLIS accreditation renewal, securing an eight-year term until 2028.

Dr. Samek has served in numerous leadership roles including former Chair of SLIS, committee memberships across academic freedom, tenure, and intellectual freedom bodies, and advisory roles at CFE and the International Center for Information Ethics. Her teaching accolades include the 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2012), a University of Alberta Graduate Teaching Award (2008), and the inaugural Library Journal Teaching Award (2007).

Her research explores ethical challenges in librarianship, particularly regarding censorship, digital divides, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Notable works include Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility in American Librarianship, 1967–1974 (translated internationally) and Librarianship and Human Rights: A Twenty-first Century Guide. She advocates for expressive freedom in schools and libraries, addressing modern threats like book bans and algorithmic bias.

Professional recognitions include the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) for Alberta library service and the 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award from the International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion. Her work bridges academic theory and public advocacy, emphasizing libraries' role as societal ethical anchors.