# Eli M. Oboler

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**Eli Martin Oboler** (September 26, 1915 – June 15, 1983) was an American librarian who worked as the longtime [librarian](/source/Librarian) at the [Idaho State University](/source/Idaho_State_University) library, later renamed the [Eli M. Oboler Library](/source/Eli_M._Oboler_Library), from 1949 to 1980. He was also a member of the [Idaho Library Association](/source/Idaho_Library_Association) and the [Pacific Northwest Library Association](/source/Pacific_Northwest_Library_Association), and served as president for both organizations.[1] Oboler was a noted defender of [intellectual freedom](/source/Intellectual_freedom) and an anti-[censorship](/source/Censorship) activist.

## Early life and education

Oboler was born and raised in Chicago. He held degrees from both the [University of Chicago](/source/University_of_Chicago) and [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University), including a Bachelor of Science degree in [Library Science](/source/Library_Science). After his discharge from the army in 1946, Oboler returned to the Chicago where he attended the [University of Chicago Graduate Library School](/source/University_of_Chicago_Graduate_Library_School).

## Career

During [World War II](/source/World_War_II) Oboler served in the [Lend-Lease Expediting Bureau](/source/Lend-Lease) and later in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army). Oboler became head librarian of Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) in 1949. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1980.

Oboler was a longtime member of the [American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association), and held numerous positions with the ALA and the [Association of College and Research Libraries](/source/Association_of_College_and_Research_Libraries) (ACRL), one of the largest subdivisions of the ALA. Oboler served on the Intellectual Freedom Committees of both the Idaho Library Association and the American Library Association.[1]

Shortly before his death in 1983, [Idaho State University](/source/Idaho_State_University) renamed its library the [Eli M. Oboler Library](/source/Eli_M._Oboler_Library) after its longtime librarian.[1] Every two years since 1986, the American Library Association has awarded the Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award for "the best published work in the area of intellectual freedom."[2]

## Personal life

Oboler died at his home in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1983 after suffering from [cancer](/source/Cancer).

## Bibliography

Oboler authored over 200 publications. He also contributed regularly to several publications, including *[Library Journal](/source/Library_Journal)* and the *[Idaho State Journal](/source/Idaho_State_Journal)* in Pocatello.[3]

Oboler authored several books on censorship and intellectual freedom, including:

- *The Fear of the Word: Censorship and Sex*. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1974.
- *Ideas and the University Library: Essays of an Unorthodox Academic Librarian.* Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1977.
- *Defending Intellectual Freedom: The Library and the Censor*. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980.
- *To Free the Mind: Libraries, Technology, and Intellectual Freedom.* Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1983.

## See also

- [Eli M. Oboler Library](/source/Eli_M._Oboler_Library)
- [Idaho State University](/source/Idaho_State_University)

## References

1. ["Biography of Eli M. Oboler"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060906154417/http://www.isu.edu/library/help/emolongbio.htm). Eli M. Oboler Library. 2006-08-12. Archived from [the original](http://www.isu.edu/library/help/emolongbio.htm) on 2006-09-06. Retrieved 2007-02-08.

1. [Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award](http://www.ala.org/ifrt/awardsfinal/oboler/oboler) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140818070344/http://www.ala.org/ifrt/awardsfinal/oboler/oboler) 2014-08-18 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 12 February 2012)

1. ["Who was Eli M. Oboler?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070903050203/http://www.isu.edu/library/help/emoboler.htm). Eli M. Oboler Library. 2007-02-27. Archived from [the original](http://www.isu.edu/library/help/emoboler.htm) on 2007-09-03. Retrieved 2007-03-09.

## External links

The Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award [\[1\]](http://www.ala.org/rt/ifrt/oboler)

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