Local Nonprofit Invigorates Its “The Judith’s Award”
Organization Seeks Literacy Heroes who Nourish Souls and Fulfill Dreams
January 27, 2026 — Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 literacy nonprofit organization founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and first-cousin to the organization’s founders, announced that “The Judith’s Award” — established in 2019 — has been re-focused to recognize literacy champions in America.
“The Judith’s Award,” originally the runner-up prize to the organization’s “Freedom Through Literacy Award” Grand Prize winner, will take front and center as Judith’s Reading Room moves decisively to honor authors, teachers, librarians and college students studying to teach and authors who make up the backbone of education in America. All applicants must reside in the United States. “The Judith’s Award” has been fortified by opening up the application process to college students studying in the United States and who are majoring in teaching, writing and literature.
“Without authors we wouldn’t have books, without great teachers, reluctant readers —sure that they were not smart enough — would continue to fall behind their peers and without librarians trained to find the perfect book, kids might go through life saying they didn’t like to read because they never ‘met’ the perfect book,” said Cathy Leiber, Co-Founder, Judith’s Reading Room.
“The Judith’s Award” requires completion of an Application available on the Judith’s Reading Room website at www.judithsreadingroom.org. The cash award — a minimum of $500 — will be at the discretion of the Co-Founders, Scott & Cathy Leiber. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and more than one applicant may win in a calendar year. There is no deadline for submission of an Application.
Judith’s Reading Room
Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy nonprofit organization based in eastern Pennsylvania, was founded in 2010 in the memory of the founder’s first cousin, Judith F. Krug, who served as Director of Intellectual Freedom for the American Library Association for 40 years. The organization’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy. To date, that mission has been met by establishing 117 eponymous libraries in 28 countries with 136,042 books donated worth $1,461,871.
At the conclusion of 2025, after a successful 15th anniversary celebration during which 15 new and/or enhanced libraries were dedicated around the world, the Board of Directors took the decision to conclude its library initiative and to focus all efforts on recognizing the tireless efforts of authors, teachers and librarians in the United States.
From 2015-2024, Judith’s Reading Room sponsored its signature “Freedom Through Literacy Award” which awarded $58,600 to 71 literacy champions from 18 countries. The “Freedom Through Literacy Award’ concluded in 2024.
For more information, including access to The Judith’s Award application, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.
